Exploring the Effect of Temperature (click photo to be redirected)

Temperature has a direct effect on how odour moves through the air. This simulator allows you to explore the effect of temperature on the speed in which odour spreads through a given space.

Based on what you have seen, do you think odour spreads faster or slower in response to temperature?_

Answers and explanations

The higher the temperature, the faster odour spreads.

A given object will move faster when it has more energy. Temperature can be thought of as energy, so when the temperature is higher, molecules of odour have more energy. Hence, odour spreads further on warmer days than it does on cooler days.