A person is drinking a glass of soda with ice. Which option describes the relative kinetic energy of molecules in and above the soda in the glass? (1 point)

in: least energy above: greatest energy
in: least and intermediate energy above: greatest energy
in: least energy
above: intermediate and greatest energy
in: greatest energy above: least energy

1 answer

The correct option that describes the relative kinetic energy of molecules in and above the soda in the glass is:

in: least energy; above: greatest energy.

In a glass of soda, the molecules in the liquid (soda) are generally less energetic compared to the gas molecules above the liquid (in the air). As the temperature increases downward in general; the kinetic energy of the gas molecules (higher temperature, more motion) is greater than that of the molecules in the liquid (lower temperature due to presence of ice).