Question
Substance Melting Point (°C) Boiling Point (°C)
silicon. 1,410. 2,355
helium. -272.2. -268.9
mercury. -38.8. 356.6
methane. -182.4. -161.5
Which substance shown has the greatest kinetic energy at room temperature
(~25°C)?
(1 point)
• mercury
• silicon
• helium
• methane
silicon. 1,410. 2,355
helium. -272.2. -268.9
mercury. -38.8. 356.6
methane. -182.4. -161.5
Which substance shown has the greatest kinetic energy at room temperature
(~25°C)?
(1 point)
• mercury
• silicon
• helium
• methane
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine which substance has the greatest kinetic energy at room temperature (~25°C), we can consider the state of each substance at that temperature based on their melting and boiling points.
- **Silicon**: Melting point of 1,410°C - at 25°C, silicon is solid.
- **Helium**: Melting point of -272.2°C and boiling point of -268.9°C - at 25°C, helium is in a gaseous state.
- **Mercury**: Melting point of -38.8°C and boiling point of 356.6°C - at 25°C, mercury is a liquid.
- **Methane**: Melting point of -182.4°C and boiling point of -161.5°C - at 25°C, methane is a gas.
Kinetic energy generally increases with temperature and is highest for gases compared to liquids and solids. Among the substances listed, **helium and methane are gases at room temperature**, while **mercury is a liquid** and **silicon is solid**.
Between helium and methane, helium has a lower molecular weight and thus, at room temperature, it will have greater kinetic energy compared to methane that has a higher molecular weight.
Therefore, the substance with the greatest kinetic energy at room temperature (~25°C) is **helium**.
- **Silicon**: Melting point of 1,410°C - at 25°C, silicon is solid.
- **Helium**: Melting point of -272.2°C and boiling point of -268.9°C - at 25°C, helium is in a gaseous state.
- **Mercury**: Melting point of -38.8°C and boiling point of 356.6°C - at 25°C, mercury is a liquid.
- **Methane**: Melting point of -182.4°C and boiling point of -161.5°C - at 25°C, methane is a gas.
Kinetic energy generally increases with temperature and is highest for gases compared to liquids and solids. Among the substances listed, **helium and methane are gases at room temperature**, while **mercury is a liquid** and **silicon is solid**.
Between helium and methane, helium has a lower molecular weight and thus, at room temperature, it will have greater kinetic energy compared to methane that has a higher molecular weight.
Therefore, the substance with the greatest kinetic energy at room temperature (~25°C) is **helium**.