When gas particles collide with one another, what is the effect on their individual velocities?

When gas particles collide with one another, they experience a change in direction and speed due to the elastic nature of these collisions. This means that while the total kinetic energy in the system is conserved, individual particles can undergo changes in their velocities as energy is transferred during the collision process.

In a gas, particles are in constant motion, and their velocities depend on their kinetic energy, which is influenced by temperature. Upon collision, they can bounce off each other, resulting in a new direction and possibly a change in speed depending on the specifics of the collision, such as the angle and energy involved.

This behavior is a fundamental principle of kinetic molecular theory, which describes gases as particles in constant motion that collide elastically, meaning they do not lose energy upon collision but redistribute it among themselves. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the dynamic nature of gas particles during interactions, highlighting that they do not simply slow down, gain mass, or come to a complete stop, but rather change their velocities as a result of these collisions.