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According to the kinetic molecular theory, what occurs during collisions between gas particles?
Energy is lost in the form of heat.
Collisions are elastic.
Gas particles stick together.
Momentum is always conserved.
The correct answer is: Collisions are elastic.
The correct answer identifies that collisions between gas particles are elastic. This means that during these collisions, kinetic energy is conserved; that is, the total kinetic energy of the colliding particles before and after the collision remains the same. In elastic collisions, particles do not lose energy to heat or stick together, which aligns with the assumptions of the kinetic molecular theory. The kinetic molecular theory describes gas particles as being in constant motion and interacting primarily through collisions, with the assumption that these collisions do not result in any energy loss. Since gases are often used to illustrate the ideal behavior of particles, the concept of elastic collisions is fundamental to understanding how gas pressure, volume, and temperature relate in ideal circumstances. Thus, this concept underpins many essential principles in gas laws and thermodynamics. Understanding that gas particles retain their kinetic energy during these collisions helps in grasping how gases behave under various conditions, such as changes in pressure and temperature in real-world applications.