Temperature directly relates to the kinetic energy of the molecules. Temperature readings do not tell you anything directly about this potential energy. Temperature can be measured in a variety of units. If you measure it in degrees Kelvin, then the temperature value is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the molecules in the substance. More About Heat Heat is energy.
Heat is the total amount of energy possessed by the molecules in a piece of matter.
This energy is both kinetic energy and potential energy. The substance can experience a raise in temperature. That is, the heat can be used to speed up the molecules of the substance. Since Kelvin temperature is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of molecules in a substance, an factor increase in temperature causes an equal factor increase in the average kinetic energy of the molecules. And if the kinetic energy of the molecules increase, the speed of the molecules will increase, although these increases are not directly proportional.