Question

Zoe finds that the temperature of a substance is 12 degrees Celsius. What does this tell Zoe about the substance? Its internal energy is less than 12 degrees Celsius. Its average kinetic energy is 12 on the Celsius scale. It has a potential energy of 12 degrees Celsius. It has a specific heat of 12 on the Celsius scale.

Answer 1

Its average kinetic energy is 12 on the Celsius scale.

• According to the kinetic molecular theory, kinetic energy is directly proportional to temperature.
• This is obtained from the equation, KE = $\frac{3}{2}$ $k_{b}$T

• where KE = kinetic energy, $k_{b}$ = Boltzmann constant, and T = temperature