---
title: "The graph below shows the Maxwell-Boltzmann molecular speed distributions for a \\(1.00\\text{ mol}\\) sample of \\(\\text{N}_2\\text{(g)}\\) in a rigid \\(2.00\\text{ L}\\) container at two different temperatures, \\(T_1\\) and \\(T_2\\).  Which of the following statements correctly compares the two temperatures and provides the valid justification based on the kinetic molecular theory?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121488/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T05:04:49+00:00"
---

# The graph below shows the Maxwell-Boltzmann molecular speed distributions for a \(1.00\text{ mol}\) sample of \(\text{N}_2\text{(g)}\) in a rigid \(2.00\text{ L}\) container at two different temperatures, \(T_1\) and \(T_2\).

Which of the following statements correctly compares the two temperatures and provides the valid justification based on the kinetic molecular theory?

The graph below shows the Maxwell-Boltzmann molecular speed distributions for a \(1.00\text{ mol}\) sample of \(\text{N}_2\text{(g)}\) in a rigid \(2.00\text{ L}\) container at two different temperatures, \(T_1\) and \(T_2\).

Which of the following statements correctly compares the two temperatures and provides the valid justification based on the kinetic molecular theory?

![A 2D line graph displays molecular speed distributions on a set of bare perpendicular axes with an origin at \((0,0)\). The horizontal axis is labeled 'Molecular speed (\(\text{m/s}\))' and extends to the right. The vertical axis is labeled 'Fraction of molecules' and extends upward. Two smooth, non-negative distribution curves begin at \((0,0)\): a solid curve labeled 'Curve 1 (\(T_1\))' rises steeply to a sharp, high peak at an intermediate-low speed value and tails off smoothly toward the horizontal axis; a dashed curve labeled 'Curve 2 (\(T_2\))' rises more gradually to a lower, broader peak shifted to the right of Curve 1's peak, with its tail extending further to the right along the horizontal axis. Both curves approach zero at high speeds. No other curves, gridlines, data points, or text annotations appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787461489-kSDzdk.jpg)

- **A.** \(T_1 > T_2\), because the higher peak in Curve 1 indicates that molecules at \(T_1\) have a greater average kinetic energy.
- **B.** \(T_2 > T_1\), because the distribution in Curve 2 is shifted toward higher speeds, indicating that molecules at \(T_2\) have a greater average kinetic energy.
- **C.** \(T_2 > T_1\), because the broader distribution in Curve 2 indicates that intermolecular attractive forces become stronger at higher temperatures.
- **D.** \(T_1 > T_2\), because the narrower distribution in Curve 1 indicates that molecules undergo fewer collisions and retain higher thermal energy.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121488/*