What is the difference between kinetic energy and temperature?

On my chemistry homework, I was asked to define temperature for which I wrote " the average kinetic energy of a substance; a hotter substance will vibrate more, a colder substance less." But underneath, my teacher asked what kinetic energy was. Is there a difference? I was under the impression that there wasn't, but my teacher phrased the question so that it seemed like there was. Someone please clarify :D

Public Comments

1. You were correct in writing "average kinetic energy". Your teacher probably wanted to know where kinetic energy (in relation to temperature) comes from: it is the rotational/vibrational/translational motion of molecules.