As the temperature of an object increases, how do the particles within the object move? ($T$ for temperature, $\mathrm{KE}$ for kinetic energy)

• A. The particles stop moving completely.
• B. The particles move slower and have less $\mathrm{KE}$.
• C. The particles move faster and have greater $\mathrm{KE}$.
• D. The particles move at a constant speed regardless of $T$.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that temperature (T) is a measure of the average kinetic energy (KE) of the particles in a substance.
2. Recall the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy: as temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the particles increases.
3. Recognize that kinetic energy is related to the speed of particles by the formula \(KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2\), where \(m\) is the mass of a particle and \(v\) is its velocity.
4. Since kinetic energy increases with temperature, the velocity (or speed) of the particles must increase as well.
5. Therefore, as temperature increases, particles move faster and have greater kinetic energy.