What is the relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of gas molecules?

The relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of gas molecules is directly proportional. As the temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases. This is because temperature is a measure of the average energy of the particles in a substance.

In gases, the kinetic energy of the molecules is related to their motion; higher temperatures mean that molecules are moving faster. For example, when gas is heated, the added energy causes the molecules to collide more and move more vigorously, resulting in increased kinetic energy. This concept is grounded in the kinetic molecular theory, which states that temperature is a reflection of the average kinetic energy of gas particles. Thus, a higher temperature necessarily correlates with a higher average kinetic energy.