The measurement of thermal energy involves indirect measurement of the molecular kinetic energies of a substance. Rather than providing an absolute measure of molecular kinetic energy, thermal measurements are designed to determine differences that result from work done on, or by, a substance (e.g., heat added to, or removed from, a substance). Temperature differences correspond to changes in thermal energy states and there are several analytical methods used to measure differences in thermal energy via measurement of temperature.
By: Nabil