Answer: Absolute temperature of the gas.
- A Pressure of the gas overall
- B Volume of the gas in most cases
- C Absolute temperature of the gas
- D Molar mass of the gas under typical conditions
Correct answer: C. Absolute temperature of the gas
Explanation: Average KE per molecule = (3/2)k<sub>BT</sub>, showing it depends only on absolute temperature, not on the type of gas.
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.