What is the term for energy that moves from a hotter object to a cooler object?

The term that describes energy transferring from a hotter object to a cooler object is "heat." In the study of thermodynamics, heat is defined as the thermal energy in transit due to a temperature difference. When two objects at different temperatures come into contact, heat flows from the warmer object to the cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached, which means their temperatures become equal.

Thermal energy refers to the total internal kinetic energy of molecules in a substance, influenced by temperature but does not specify the movement of energy between objects. Potential energy is the stored energy based on position or condition, whereas kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Since the question specifically asks about the transfer of energy due to temperature differences, "heat" is the most appropriate term.