The characteristic thermal energy per microscopic degree-of-freedom scale is . Equipartition gives per independent quadratic term under its classical assumptions.
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Thermal energy refers to the internal energy present in a system due to the random motions of its molecules or atoms. It is a form of kinetic energy that arises from the heat and temperature of the matter in question. The more motion the particles have (which generally occurs at higher temperatures), the greater the thermal energy. In practical terms, thermal energy is responsible for the sensations of heat and temperature that we experience in our environment.