Question

Which sample of water contains particles having the highest average kinetic energy?

(1) 25 mL of water at 95°C
(2) 45 mL of water at 75°C
(3) 75 mL of water at 75°C
(4) 95 mL of water at 25°C

Answer 1

The 25 mL of water at 95°C has the highest average kinetic energy because temperature is directly proportional to average kinetic energy. So the correct option is 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sample of water that contains particles having the highest average kinetic energy is the one with the highest temperature, as average kinetic energy and temperature are directly proportional. The temperature of a substance is a measure of the average kinetic energy of its particles. Therefore, out of the given choices, the 25 mL of water at 95°C (1) would have the highest average kinetic energy, because it has the highest temperature. The volume of the water is irrelevant to the average kinetic energy of the particles; it is the temperature alone that affects the kinetic energy in this context.

Answer 2

(1) 25 ml of water at 95 degrees Celsius is your answer. Temperature is the average kinetic energy of the substance that it measures, therefore the highest temperature choice, aka #1, is your answer.