Question

You may have heard someone use the figure of speech “slower than molasses in winter” to describe a process that occurs slowly. Explain why this is an apt idiom, using concepts of molecular size and shape, molecular interactions, and the effect of changing temperature.

Short answer

In higher temperature, the kinetic energies of the molecules are greater to the extent and in lower temperatures, the kinetic energy of the molecules are not very high to the extent.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Kinetic Energy

The kinetic energy of an item is the energy that it possesses because of its motion. It is described because the paintings had to boost up a frame of a given mass from relaxation to its said velocity. Having won this electricity at some stage in its acceleration, the frame keeps this kinetic electricity until its pace changes.

Explanation of why this is an apt idiom

At higher temperatures, the kinetic energies of molecules are greater to the extent that it overcomes the intermolecular forces and so becomes more fluid (less viscous).

At lower temperatures, the kinetic energies of the molecules are not very high to the extent that it can overcome the intermolecular force. Therefore, it is more viscous.