Final answer:
Temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of particles, affecting their movement and arrangement. Higher temperatures increase particle movement leading to phase changes and faster chemical reactions, while lower temperatures can stabilize sensitive materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in matter, which indicates how hot or cold an object is. The kinetic-molecular theory explains that as temperature increases, the particles within a substance gain energy, leading to faster movement and vibrations. Conversely, a decrease in temperature means particles lose energy and move more slowly. A change in this energy can alter the arrangement of particles, causing physical changes such as phase transitions, for instance, from solid to liquid. Furthermore, temperature can affect chemical reactions, as they usually proceed faster at higher temperatures, and it can impact the stability of certain materials like enzymes, which last longer at lower temperatures.