Question

ocean.
the officer describes two ocean layers:
surface layer: warmer water (20°c)
deep layer: colder water (5°c)
how would the movement of water particles compare between these layers?
a. particles in the surface layer move slower than in the deep layer.
b. particles in the deep layer move faster than in the surface layer.
c. particles in the surface layer move faster than in the deep layer.
d. water particle movement is the same in both layers.

Explanation:

According to the kinetic - molecular theory of matter, the average kinetic energy of particles is directly proportional to temperature. Higher temperature means higher average kinetic energy, and thus faster - moving particles. The surface layer has a higher temperature (\(20^{\circ}C\)) compared to the deep layer (\(5^{\circ}C\)). So, water particles in the surface layer have higher average kinetic energy and move faster than those in the deep layer.

Answer:

C. Particles in the surface layer move faster than in the deep layer.