Question

identifying characteristics of particles at different temperatures
two mugs of tea were made and their temperatures measured. which statement correctly describes the characteristics of the particles in mug a compared to mug b?
the particles in mug a are moving more quickly
the particles in mug a are moving more slowly
the particles in mug a are moving at the same speed
the particles in mug a are not moving

Explanation:

According to the kinetic - molecular theory of matter, the temperature of a substance is related to the average kinetic energy of its particles. The formula for kinetic energy is \(KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\) (where \(m\) is the mass of the particle and \(v\) is the speed of the particle). Since the particles in both mugs are of the same substance (tea, so \(m\) is the same for the particles in both mugs), a lower - temperature substance (mug A with \(T = 79^{\circ}C\)) has particles with lower average kinetic energy. If \(KE\) is lower and \(m\) is constant, then \(v\) (the speed of the particles) is lower.

Answer:

The particles in mug A are moving more slowly.