Here's why:
* Gas Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. In gases, viscosity arises from the collisions of gas molecules.
* Temperature and Molecular Motion: As temperature increases, gas molecules move faster and collide more frequently. This increased molecular motion means:
* Shorter Mean Free Path: The average distance a molecule travels between collisions decreases.
* Weaker Intermolecular Forces: The increased kinetic energy of the molecules weakens the weak attractive forces between them.
These combined effects lead to:
* Reduced Momentum Transfer: The faster molecules transfer momentum less effectively during collisions, leading to a lower viscosity.
In summary: Higher temperatures mean faster gas molecules, more frequent collisions, and weaker intermolecular forces, resulting in a decrease in gas viscosity.