- #1
MathewsMD
- 433
- 7
I am just discussing gases and how substances change when they undergo temperature changes. We know that temperature is a measure of the average speed of a substance. Okay, but when we look at velocity, it has both direction and a magnitude. So, when we heat a substance (ex. water), I understand that its molecules' average speed increases, but does its net velocity? Since all the molecules are pointing in random directions, wouldn't there be a net cancelling effect on the velocities of the individual molecules in this sample since it is a vector quantity we're assessing? For a cup of quiescent water, there is no net velocity, right? So if we were to either cool or heat this sample, it still wouldn't have a net velocity change, right?
Any clarification on the above matters would be great since I'm having trouble finding discussions regarding velocity changes instead of just speed changes. Thank you!
Any clarification on the above matters would be great since I'm having trouble finding discussions regarding velocity changes instead of just speed changes. Thank you!