What is the relationship between kinetic energy and thermal energy?(1 point)

Responses

As the kinetic energy in a substance’s atoms increases, its thermal energy decreases, and vice versa.

As the kinetic energy in a substance’s atoms increases, its thermal energy increases, and vice versa.

Kinetic energy is a measure of thermal energy.

Kinetic energy is the transfer of thermal energy.

As the kinetic energy in a substance’s atoms increases, its thermal energy increases, and vice versa.

The correct answer is: As the kinetic energy in a substance's atoms increases, its thermal energy increases, and vice versa.

To understand the relationship between kinetic energy and thermal energy, we need to have a basic understanding of these concepts:

1. Kinetic energy: It is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. The formula for kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 * mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity.

2. Thermal energy: It is the total energy possessed by a substance due to the sum of the kinetic energies of its atoms or molecules. It represents the internal energy of a substance and is directly related to its temperature.

Now, let's explain the relationship:

As the kinetic energy increases in a substance's atoms, it means that the atoms are moving faster. When the atoms move faster, they collide more frequently and with greater force with each other. The increased collision energy is transferred between the atoms, causing an increase in the overall thermal energy of the substance.

Conversely, if the kinetic energy decreases, it means that the atoms are moving slower and colliding less frequently. This results in a decrease in the overall thermal energy of the substance.

Therefore, an increase in kinetic energy corresponds to an increase in thermal energy, and a decrease in kinetic energy corresponds to a decrease in thermal energy. The two are directly related and proportional to each other.

The correct answer is:

As the kinetic energy in a substance’s atoms increases, its thermal energy increases, and vice versa.