What type of energy transfer is known as heat?

The correct answer is thermal energy, which is synonymous with heat when discussing energy transfer. Thermal energy specifically refers to the energy that comes from the temperature of matter. When heat is transferred between systems, it is the result of differences in temperature, leading to energy being transferred from the warmer object to the cooler one.

In contrast, latent energy refers to the energy absorbed or released during phase changes of a substance, such as when ice melts into water without a temperature change. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, related to the movement of objects, while potential energy is stored energy based on an object's position or state, such as the energy held within an object at a height or in a compressed spring.

Therefore, thermal energy accurately describes the process of heat transfer, as it directly relates to the kinetic energy of the particles in a material, increasing with temperature, and facilitating the transfer of heat from warmer to cooler areas.