Which of the following is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a material?

• A. Volume
• B. Density
• C. Temperature
• D. Pressure

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the average kinetic energy of molecules in a material is directly related to the thermal motion of those molecules.
2. Recall that temperature is a physical quantity that measures the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
3. Recognize that volume is the amount of space a substance occupies, which does not directly measure kinetic energy.
4. Know that density is mass per unit volume and does not provide information about molecular motion or energy.
5. Understand that pressure is the force exerted by molecules colliding with surfaces, related to kinetic energy but not a direct measure of average kinetic energy like temperature.