Multiple choice

The kinetic theory of gases predicts that at a given temperature-

  1. All the molecules in a gas have the same average speed

  2. All the molecules in a gas have the same average energy

  3. Lighter gas molecules have higher average energies than heavy gas molecules

  4. Lighter gas molecules have lower average energies than heavy gas molecules
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Kinetic theory states that at a given temperature, all gas molecules have the same average kinetic energy (KE_avg = 3/2 kT). Lighter molecules move faster but their average energy equals heavier molecules' average energy. Speeds follow Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.

Keep practicing — related questions