Final answer:
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in matter. It is operationally defined as the quantity measured by a thermometer. Differences in temperature result in heat transfer, while thermal equilibrium occurs when two bodies can freely exchange energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in matter. In thermodynamics, temperature is operationally defined as the quantity measured by a thermometer. It is proportional to the average kinetic energy of atoms and molecules in a system. Differences in temperature result in heat transfer, which is the movement of energy from one place or material to another. Thermal equilibrium occurs when two bodies are in contact with each other and can freely exchange energy.