According to the Kinetic Molecular Theory, all matter is made up on constantly moving particles. These particles move in a number of different ways: they can move in straight lines, rotate, and vibrate.
Molecules may have translational kinetic energy, rotational kinetic energy, vibrational kinetic energy, and potential kinetic energy. The total energy of all the molecules is called its thermal energy. When thermal energy is transferred from one material to another, the amount of energy transferred is called heat. Temperature is the average amount of energy, thermal energy is the sum.
Absolute Zero is the lowest temperature possible. If an object would reach absolute zero, it would contain no energy whatsoever. This temperature on the Celsius scale is approximately -273 degrees.
How is heat transferred? There are three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction occurs when heat is transferred through solid matter. The particles bump up against each other, transferring the energy.
