Why do the air molecules inside a bicycle tire speed up as the temperature gets warmer?
Responses
A because the heat is transferred to the molecules and gives them more kinetic energybecause the heat is transferred to the molecules and gives them more kinetic energy
B because the warmer air allows the particles to be free from gravitational forcesbecause the warmer air allows the particles to be free from gravitational forces
C because the heat liberates the potential energy inside each moleculebecause the heat liberates the potential energy inside each molecule
D because the warmer air is less dense and particles can move more
freelybecause the warmer air is less dense and particles can move more freely
The correct answer is D) because the warmer air is less dense and particles can move more.
When the temperature increases, the air molecules inside a bicycle tire gain kinetic energy. This increased kinetic energy causes the molecules to move faster and collide more frequently with each other and the walls of the tire. As a result, the pressure inside the tire increases.
The molecules in a gas move in random directions due to their kinetic energy. In a tire, the air molecules are confined within a limited space. When the temperature increases, the molecules gain more kinetic energy, which allows them to move faster.
At higher temperatures, the air molecules inside the tire gain enough energy to overcome the attraction forces between them. Additionally, the warmer air becomes less dense, meaning there are fewer air molecules per unit volume. With fewer molecules and weaker attraction forces, the air molecules can move more freely and increase their average speed.
In summary, as the temperature increases, the air molecules inside a bicycle tire speed up because the warmer air is less dense and the particles can move more freely.