According to the kinetic molecular theory, how does the average speed of water molecules change as the temperature of the water increases?
A
The average speed of the molecules increases.
B
The average speed of the molecules decreases.
C
The average speed of the molecules fluctuates randomly.
D
The average speed of the molecules remains constant.
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1
Recall that the kinetic molecular theory relates the temperature of a substance to the average kinetic energy of its molecules.
Understand that the average kinetic energy (KE) of molecules is directly proportional to the absolute temperature (in Kelvin), expressed as \(KE_{avg} = \frac{3}{2} k_B T\), where \(k_B\) is the Boltzmann constant and \(T\) is the temperature.
Recognize that the kinetic energy of a molecule is also related to its mass (\(m\)) and average speed (\(v_{avg}\)) by the equation \(KE_{avg} = \frac{1}{2} m v_{avg}^2\).
Combine these relationships to see that as temperature \(T\) increases, the average kinetic energy increases, which means the average speed \(v_{avg}\) of the molecules must increase to satisfy \(\frac{1}{2} m v_{avg}^2 \propto T\).
Conclude that increasing the temperature of water increases the average speed of its molecules according to the kinetic molecular theory.