An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The agitated motion of molecular, atomic, or → subatomic particles in all possible directions at any temperature, except at → absolute zero, where → thermal motion would cease.

→ random; → thermal; → motion.

The random motions and collisions of molecules, atoms, electrons, or other subatomic particles constituting an object at all temperatures above → absolute zero. The thermal motion of particles rises with the temperature of those particles and is governed by the laws of → thermodynamics. The most convincing experimental proof of thermal motion → Brownian motion.

→ thermal; → motion.