# Explain why, at a given temperature, the particles in a sample of liquid water have a range of kinetic energies rather than all possessing the same kinetic energy.

> IB DP Chemistry Higher Level (2023 syllabus) — S1.1 Introduction to the particulate nature of matter · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Particles in a liquid are in constant, random motion / constantly colliding with each other
2. During collisions, kinetic energy is transferred between particles
3. As a result, individual particles gain or lose kinetic energy at different times, producing a distribution of kinetic energies
4. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles, so whilst the average is fixed, individual values vary around this average

## Key terms

- [kinetic energy](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/kinetic-energy)
- [temperature](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/temperature)

## Related

- [Revision notes for IB DP Chemistry Higher Level (2023 syllabus)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-at-a-given-temperature-11ae962b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.