Explain how temperature and particle motion are related.

Answer 1

Temperature and particle motion are directly related. As the temperature of a substance increases, the average kinetic energy of its particles also increases, leading to an increase in the speed and magnitude of their motion.

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. Kinetic energy refers to the energy of an object due to its motion. In a substance, such as a gas, liquid, or solid, the particles are constantly moving and colliding with each other. The speed and magnitude of their motion determine the temperature of the substance.

When the temperature of a substance increases, the particles gain more kinetic energy. This means that they collide with each other more frequently and with greater force. As a result, the motion of the particles becomes more vigorous and erratic. They move faster and cover larger distances in a given time period.

Conversely, when the temperature of a substance decreases, the particles lose kinetic energy. This results in slower and less frequent collisions among the particles, leading to a decrease in their motion.

Therefore, temperature and particle motion are directly proportional – as temperature increases, particle motion also increases, and as temperature decreases, particle motion decreases.