Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
The speed corresponding to the average kinetic energy of atoms in an ideal gas, related to temperature by the equation $v_{\mathrm{rms}} = \sqrt{\frac{3k_B T}{m}}$.
AP course connection
Topic 9.1: 9.1 Kinetic Theory of Temperature and Pressure