Question

How is the temperature of a substance related to the kinetic energy of its molecules? Select all that apply.

As the kinetic energy of molecules increases, the temperature decreases.

As the kinetic energy of molecules increases, the temperature increases.

Temperature is a measure of the average electromagnetic energy of molecules in the substance.

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in the substance.

Answer 1

Correct choices are:

- As the kinetic energy of molecules increases, the temperature increases.
- Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in the substance.

Explanation: Temperature (in the thermodynamic sense) is proportional to the average kinetic energy of particles (for an ideal monatomic gas: ⟨KE⟩ = (3/2)kB T). It is an average property, not the total kinetic energy, and it is not a measure of "electromagnetic energy."