Question

A substance has a higher temperature when its particles have a higher average kinetic energy.Imagine two different substances that are both pure, meaning they each contain only one type of matter. Each substance has a different temperature.Which two properties determine which substance has the higher temperature?

Answer 1

The temperature of a substance is determined by the average kinetic energy of its particles, which is influenced by the following two properties:

1. Average Kinetic Energy of the Particles: This property directly correlates with temperature. The higher the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, the higher its temperature. This kinetic energy can arise from various forms of motion, including translational, rotational, and vibrational motion, depending on the state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas).

2. Mass of the Particles: The mass of the particles can also play a role in how the kinetic energy translates to temperature. For example, lighter particles can have a higher velocity at a given energy level compared to heavier particles. However, it's important to note that in terms of intrinsic temperature, it's primarily the average kinetic energy that matters.

In summary, the two properties that determine which substance has a higher temperature are the average kinetic energy of the particles and the nature of the particles (including their mass and how they move). However, it's predominantly the average kinetic energy that defines the temperature more directly.