Question

thermal energy is applied to a gas. what will happen to the gas molecules in the container as thermal energy is applied? a the movement, kinetic energy, and pressure of the molecules will increase. b the movement, kinetic energy, and pressure of the molecules will decrease. c the movement, kinetic energy, and pressure of the molecules will stay the same. d the movement of the molecules will increase, but the kinetic energy and pressure of the molecules will stay the same.

Explanation:

When thermal energy is applied to gas molecules in a container, the kinetic - theory of gases states that the added thermal energy increases the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules. This leads to an increase in the speed of the molecules (more movement), and as the molecules move faster and collide more frequently and with greater force against the walls of the container, the pressure also increases.

Answer:

A. The movement, kinetic energy, and pressure of the molecules will increase.