AFOQT Practice Test

How are temperature and the kinetic energy of atoms or molecules related?

1. The more energy the atoms have, the lower the substance's temperature

2. The more energy the atoms have, the higher the substance's temperature

3. Kinetic energy has no relation to temperature

4. Atoms at higher temperatures have less energy

The correct answer is: The more energy the atoms have, the higher the substance's temperature

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a substance. When the atoms or molecules have more kinetic energy, they move more vigorously, which corresponds to a higher temperature. This relationship is rooted in the principles of thermodynamics and kinetic molecular theory, which state that as thermal energy increases, the motion of particles increases, leading to an increase in temperature. In essence, higher energy levels result in greater movement and speed of the particles, thus increasing the temperature of the substance. Conversely, if the kinetic energy of the atoms decreases, the motion slows down, which leads to a lower temperature. This fundamental relationship illustrates why the correct choice emphasizes that as energy increases, so does temperature, reflecting the core concept behind thermal energy and temperature interplay.