The average kinetic energy of water molecules is directly related to the temperature of the water samples. In this case, the temperatures are as follows:
- Sample L: 40 ºC
- Sample M: 88 ºC
- Sample N: 21 ºC
To order the samples from greatest to least average kinetic energy, we should rank the temperatures from highest to lowest:
- M (88 ºC) - Greatest average kinetic energy
- L (40 ºC)
- N (21 ºC) - Least average kinetic energy
So the correct order from greatest to least average kinetic energy of the water molecules is:
M, L, N
The correct response is: M, L, N.