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

The relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of gas molecules is direct, meaning that as temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases. This connection is rooted in the kinetic molecular theory, which states that temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

When the temperature of a gas rises, the molecules gain energy and move faster, leading to an increase in their kinetic energy. This can be observed in real-world scenarios, such as when a gas is heated in a closed container; the molecules collide more frequently and with greater force against the walls of the container as their temperatures increase. Thus, the correct understanding is that an increase in temperature correlates with an increase in the average kinetic energy of the gas particles, reinforcing why this option is the correct choice.