In which are the molecules moving faster: a swimming pool of boiling water or a cup of boiling water?
A)The swimming pool of boiling water because it contains more energy.
B)The cup because the molecules rebound off the container's inner surface more frequently.
C)The average motion of the molecules in each is the same.
D)There is insufficient information given to determine where the molecules move faster.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The temperature of both the swimming pool and the cup is the same since both contain boiling water. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules, so the average motion of the molecules is the same in both cases.

In Which Are the Molecules Moving Faster: a Swimming Pool