Original Project
Atoms, Molecules, and States of Matter
Item AM032005: The average speed of water molecules in a closed container kept at a constant temperature stays the same.
A container of water was closed and kept at a constant temperature. Which of the following statements about the motion of the water molecules is TRUE?
- The water molecules stopped moving.
- The average speed of the water molecules stayed the same.
- The average speed of the water molecules increased a little bit.
- The average speed of the water molecules decreased a little bit.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2141 | 3834 | 56% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 1448 | 2792 | 52% |
| 9–12 | 688 | 1033 | 67% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 1081 | 1905 | 57% |
| Female | 1041 | 1894 | 55% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1944 | 3400 | 57% |
| Other | 167 | 383 | 44% |
- Notes
- See performance expectation MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a substance when thermal energy is added or removed.