Molecular diffusion is caused by the

ANS:B - thermal energy of the molecules.

Molecular diffusion is caused by the transfer of molecules from regions of high concentration to regions of low concentration. This movement occurs spontaneously to equalize the concentration gradient, leading to a net movement of molecules from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration. Therefore, the transfer of molecules from low concentration to high concentration region is not the cause of molecular diffusion. Instead, it's the opposite direction—the movement from high to low concentration—that defines diffusion. The other options—thermal energy, activation energy, and potential energy—are not directly responsible for causing molecular diffusion but may influence the rate or extent of diffusion in certain circumstances. Thermal energy of molecules refers to the kinetic energy associated with the random motion of molecules within a substance. It is a manifestation of the microscopic motion of atoms and molecules due to their temperature. Here's an explanation of thermal energy of molecules:

1. Kinetic Theory of Gases: According to the kinetic theory of gases, molecules in a substance are in constant motion, colliding with each other and the walls of their container. The average kinetic energy of these molecules is directly proportional to the temperature of the substance.
2. Random Motion: Molecules in a substance possess thermal energy because they are in constant motion due to their kinetic energy. This motion is random, meaning that molecules move in all directions and interact with neighboring molecules through collisions.
3. Effect of Temperature: Increasing the temperature of a substance increases the average kinetic energy of its molecules. This increase in thermal energy leads to more rapid and energetic molecular motion, resulting in higher collision frequencies and greater force exerted during collisions.
4. Phase Changes: Thermal energy plays a crucial role in phase transitions, such as melting, evaporation, and sublimation. As thermal energy is added to a substance, the average kinetic energy of its molecules increases, eventually overcoming intermolecular forces and causing the substance to change phase.
5. Heat Transfer: Thermal energy can be transferred between substances through mechanisms such as conduction, convection, and radiation. When a substance with higher thermal energy comes into contact with one with lower thermal energy, heat transfer occurs until thermal equilibrium is reached.

In summary, thermal energy of molecules is the kinetic energy associated with the random motion of molecules within a substance. It is directly related to temperature and influences various physical and chemical properties of substances, including phase transitions, heat transfer, and reaction rates.