Answer: Perfectly elastic.
- A Perfectly inelastic
- B Perfectly elastic
- C Partially elastic
- D Random and energy-losing
Correct answer: B. Perfectly elastic
Explanation: Kinetic theory assumes molecular collisions (with each other and with walls) are perfectly elastic, conserving total kinetic energy.
Not all gas molecules move at the same speed - the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution shows the spread, with the most probable speed vp slightly less than the average vavg, which is slightly less than the root-mean-square speed vrms used in the pressure formula.
Concept context
Kinetic theory of gases connects molecular motion to pressure and temperature, explaining gas laws, specific heats, and molecular speeds.