Which quantity refers most directly to the average molecular kinetic energy present in a substance?

thermal energy

temperature

specificheat

heat of fusion

(B) Temperature

Explanation:

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in the system. The water molecules in a cup of hot coffee have a higher average kinetic energy than the water molecules in a cup of iced tea, which also means they are moving at a higher velocity. The specific heat capacity is how much energy is needed to increase the temperature of one gram of a substance by 1°C or 1K.