Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

How does temperature influence the behavior of gases according to kinetic molecular theory?

1. It increases the attractive forces between molecules

2. It affects the average kinetic energy of the molecules

3. It decreases the energy transferred during collisions

4. It determines the volume of gas in the container

The correct answer is: It affects the average kinetic energy of the molecules

The correct answer is based on the understanding that temperature is directly related to the average kinetic energy of gas molecules. According to kinetic molecular theory, gas molecules are in constant random motion, and the temperature of a gas is a measure of the average kinetic energy of its molecules. As temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the molecules also increases, leading to more vigorous motion. This results in molecules moving faster, thereby increasing the frequency and the intensity of collisions between them. This relationship explains why gases expand when heated: as the kinetic energy rises, molecules collide with greater energy and can push against the walls of their container more forcefully. Conversely, at lower temperatures, the kinetic energy decreases, resulting in reduced motion and less energetic collisions. The kinetic molecular theory highlights these dynamic behaviors, underscoring the importance of temperature as a factor influencing gas behavior.