How is temperature related to kinetic energy?

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. As the temperature of a substance increases, the speed of its particles also increases, resulting in greater average kinetic energy. This direct relationship means that when the temperature rises, the particles move more rapidly, thereby increasing their kinetic energy.

In thermodynamics, this principle is crucial because it helps in understanding how energy transfers occur in different states of matter. The concept applies broadly, from simple gases to complex systems, illustrating how temperature changes can lead to changes in energy states. The other options do not accurately reflect this relationship, as they either suggest a lack of correlation or a misunderstanding of how these two fundamental concepts in thermodynamics interact.