Which best describes the difference between internal and thermal energy?

Internal energy is the total potential energy in a substance, and thermal energy is the total kinetic energy in a substance.

Thermal energy is the total potential energy in a substance, and internal energy is the total kinetic energy in a substance.

Internal energy is the total potential and kinetic energies in a substance, and thermal energy is the part of internal energy that can be transferred to another substance.

Thermal energy is the total potential and kinetic energies in a substance, and internal energy is the part of internal energy that can be transferred to another substance.

Answer: Option (c) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Thermal energy is defined as the kinetic energy present within the molecules of a substance due to their movement.

Thermal energy can be transferred from one object to another.

On the other hand, thermal energy is the sum of both potential and kinetic energies present in a substance.

Basically, thermal energy is a part of internal energy.

Hence, we can conclude that the statement, internal energy is the total potential and kinetic energies in a substance, and thermal energy is the part of internal energy that can be transferred to another substance, best describes the difference between internal and thermal energy.

Answer: C. Internal energy is the total potential and kinetic energies in a substance, and thermal energy is the part of internal energy that can be transferred to another substance.