Final answer:
Vibrating molecules and atoms exemplify thermal energy, a form of kinetic energy associated with the random movements at the microscopic level that is connected to an object's temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vibrating molecules and atoms are an example of thermal energy, which falls into the kinetic energy category. Thermal energy is the internal kinetic energy resulting from the random motion of molecules and atoms. The amount of thermal energy is related to the temperature of the object and can transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation, often referred to as heat energy. Vibrational energy is quantized, meaning molecules have discrete energy levels and can absorb specific frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, commonly in the infrared range, to move to a higher vibrational state.