Question

A thermometer is placed in water in order to measure the water’s temperature. What would cause the liquid in the thermometer to drop?

A)The molecules in the water spread apart.
B)The molecules in the thermometer’s liquid spread apart.
C)The kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases.
D)The kinetic energy of the thermometer’s liquid molecules increases.

Answer 1

The kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases. (C)

Answer 2

Answer: Option (C) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is known that kinetic energy is the energy of particles or molecules of an object.

For example, when water is heated then its molecules start to move rapidly from their position due to the energy gained by them. As a result, temperature of water increases.

Therefore, when kinetic energy of molecules decrease then they tend to gain potential energy. Hence, there will be decrease in temperature of water.

Thus, we can conclude that when a thermometer is placed in water in order to measure the water’s temperature then drop in temperature of thermometer drops because kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases.