Final answer:
Temperature is a quantitative measurement, expressed numerically, and indicative of the average kinetic energy within a system. It provides specific information about the degree of hotness or coldness that can be accurately measured with a thermometer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperature is a quantitative measurement because it is expressed as a numerical value using a unit of measurement, such as degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. It is related to the average kinetic energy of atoms and molecules within a system and indicates how hot or cold something is in a measurable way. Understanding whether descriptions are qualitative or quantitative is essential in scientific analysis. For instance:
- 'Gold metal is yellow.' - This is a qualitative description because it indicates a quality or characteristic without a numerical value.
- 'A ream of paper has 500 sheets in it.' - This is a quantitative description because it specifies a measurable quantity.
- 'The weather outside is snowy.' - This is a qualitative description because it describes the weather condition without numbers.
- 'The temperature outside is 24 degrees Fahrenheit.' - This is a quantitative description because it provides a specific numerical measurement of temperature.
- In general, when compiling and plotting data, temperature will always be considered quantitative data since it can be accurately measured and expressed numerically.