Final answer:
Thermal energy is the total energy of all the atoms or molecules in an object, while heat is the transfer of thermal energy between objects with different temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heat and thermal energy are related but distinct concepts in physics.
Thermal energy is the total energy of all the atoms or molecules in an object. It is a form of internal energy that includes both kinetic and potential energy. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object. So, thermal energy is dependent on both temperature and the number of particles in an object.
On the other hand, heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another due to a temperature difference. When heat is transferred, it flows from an object with a higher temperature to an object with a lower temperature until both objects reach thermal equilibrium.