Which two properties are used to determine which substance has the higher temperature?

• A. Total mass and volume
• B. Average kinetic energy of particles
• C. Density and specific heat capacity
• D. Number of moles and pressure

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, not dependent on the total amount of substance or its volume.
2. Recall that total mass and volume describe the quantity and space occupied by a substance, but do not directly indicate temperature.
3. Recognize that density and specific heat capacity relate to how much mass is in a volume and how much energy is needed to change temperature, but they do not directly determine the temperature itself.
4. Note that number of moles and pressure describe the amount of substance and force per area, which influence other properties but not the direct measure of temperature.
5. Conclude that the property directly related to temperature is the average kinetic energy of the particles, since temperature reflects how fast particles are moving on average.