CSCAPrep
Reviewed CSCA Physics question · Easy

In the kinetic theory of gases, the average translational kinetic energy of a gas molecule is directly proportional to which of the following?

  1. The pressure of the gas
  2. The absolute temperature of the gas
  3. The volume of the gas
  4. The molar mass of the gas
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer

B. The absolute temperature of the gas

Principle or equation

The average translational kinetic energy of a molecule in an ideal gas is (3/2)kT, where T is the absolute temperature.

Why this answer is correct

According to kinetic theory, the average kinetic energy of gas molecules is proportional to the absolute temperature. Pressure and volume depend on other factors, and molar mass does not affect the average kinetic energy at a given temperature.

Example

If the temperature of an ideal gas is doubled, the average kinetic energy of its molecules doubles.

This published item includes a stored explanation and passed the platform’s publication workflow. It is independent preparation material, not a claim of an official or recalled examination question.

Related practice questions

Standard · Thermal physicsA sealed container holds 2 moles of an ideal gas at a pressure of 1.0 × 10⁵ Pa and a temperature of…Standard · Thermal physicsAn ideal gas occupies 2.0 L at a pressure of 1.0 atm and a temperature of 300 K. If the amount of…Easy · Thermal physics一定质量的理想气体，在温度不变的情况下，体积增大为原来的2倍，则压强变为原来的多少倍？Standard · Thermal physics一定质量的理想气体，初始状态为 p1 = 2×10⁵ Pa，V1 = 3 L，T1 = 300 K。若气体经历等温变化，压强变为 p2 = 6×10⁵ Pa，求末态体积 V2。Standard · Thermal physics一定质量的理想气体，在压强不变的情况下，温度从27°C升高到127°C，求体积变为原来的多少倍。