In the outer most layer of the atmosphere, gas molecules can have a temperature of 1000°C because_____ .
A) that is the temperature of the solar radiation
B) temperature is defined as the average speed at which molecules move and the molecules move rapidly there
C) that is the speed of the individual molecules
D) that is the temperature of an object that is entering Earth's atmosphere at a high speed
E) none of the above

Question

In the outer most layer of the atmosphere, gas molecules can have a temperature of 1000°C because_____  .
A) that is the temperature of the solar radiation
B) temperature is defined as the average speed at which molecules move and the molecules move rapidly there
C) that is the speed of the individual molecules
D) that is the temperature of an object that is entering Earth's atmosphere at a high speed
E) none of the above

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Temperature is defined as the average speed at which molecules move, so in the outermost layer of the atmosphere where there are very few molecules, the molecules move rapidly, reaching temperatures of up to 1000°C. The other choices are not correct as the temperature of solar radiation is not the same as the gas temperature, individual molecular speed does not determine temperature, and objects entering Earth's atmosphere at high speeds would experience frictional heating, but this would not explain the high temperatures of the gas molecules in the outermost layer of the atmosphere.

In the Outer Most Layer of the Atmosphere, Gas Molecules