Select the correct answer.
what does the kinetic theory state about the relationship between the speed and temperature of gas molecules?
a. as the temperature increases, the speed of gas molecules remains constant.
b. as the temperature increases, the speed of gas molecules decreases.
c. as the temperature increases, the speed of gas molecules increases.
d. as the speed of gas molecules increases, the temperature becomes constant
e. as the temperature decreases, the speed of gas molecules increases.

C. As the temperature increases, the speed of gas molecules increases.

Explanation:

Kinetic Molecular Theory states that gas particles are in constant motion and exhibit perfectly elastic collisions. Kinetic Molecular Theory can be used to explain both Charles’ and Boyle’s Laws. The average kinetic energy of a collection of gas particles is directly proportional to absolute temperature only.

The following are the basic assumptions of the Kinetic Molecular Theory:

The volume occupied by the individual particles of a gas is negligible compared to the volume of the gas itself. The particles of an ideal gas exert no attractive forces on each other or on their surroundings. Gas particles are in a constant state of random motion and move in straight lines until they collide with another body. The collisions exhibited by gas particles are completely elastic; when two molecules collide, total kinetic energy is conserved. The average kinetic energy of gas molecules is directly proportional to absolute temperature only; this implies that all molecular motion ceases if the temperature is reduced to absolute zero.

So, the right choice is:

C. As the temperature increases, the speed of gas molecules increases.

Higher temperature = molecules move around faster. and vice versa.