KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY OF MATTER

Kinetic molecular theory of matter states:

1. matter is made up of particles
2. this particles are always in constant random motion
3. there is space between particles
Brownian motion
Particles are too small to be seen by our naked eye or even powerful microscope, and Brownian
motion provides a clear evidence for kinetic model of matter

Brownian Motion is the constant random motion of molecules of a fluid.

EXERIMENT TO DEMONSTRATE BROWNIAN MOTION

Apparatus
 Microscope
 Smoke cell
 Smoke source
 Source of light

Setup
The experiment set as shown below:

Procedure
Fill the smoke cell with air particles and air molecules
Place smoke cell below microscope
Pass light beam through cell as shown above.
Observation
The specks of smoke particles will be seen moving in a zigzag path as shown below:

Conclusion: air molecules are always in constant random motion.

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STATES OF MATTER
There three states of matter:
1. solid
2. liquid
3. gas
SOLID

 particles are closely packed

 particles are held together by the strong inter-molecular forces hence a solid has a fixed
shape and volume
 particles vibrate within a fixed position thus have less kinetic energy

LIQUID

 some particles are still closely packed together but some are free to move and thus a
liquid can flow
 particles vibrate more than in a solid state thus they are more kinetic energy than in a
solid
 they have less inter-molecular forces than in a solid
 particles have more space between them than in solid

GAS

 particles are far apart from each other

 they move very fast at different direction
 there is weak force of attraction( ideally no forces of attraction)
 they have lots of kinetic energy
Examples
1. Which statement describes the behavior of molecules in a liquid?
The molecules:

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 A. Do not move
B. Fill up the space of the container
C. Slide past each other
D. Vibrate about their fixed position
2. With respect to molecular motion, state one difference and one similarity between a
liquid and a gas.
Ans: (i) similarity: their particles are in a random motion.
(ii) Difference: in liquid there are strong inter-molecular forces than in a gas.
Exercises
1. Which of the following describes the arrangement of particles, the movement of particles
and the inter-molecular forces in a solid?
inter-molecular forces arrangement of particles movement of particles
A Strong closely packed vibrate
B Strong closely packed ordered
C Weak far apart vibrate
D Weak far apart ordered

Note: A fluid is a substance (a liquid or gas) that has the ability to flow.

PRESSURE OF A GAS
This is due to collision of gas molecules with other molecules and with walls of container.

HOW GAS MOLECULES EXERT PRESSURE

As the gas molecules collide with walls of the container the exert force on the surface of wall.

FACTORS AFFECTING GAS PRESSURE

Temperature
 During heating temperature increases and molecules gain kinetic energy
 More energetic molecules collide more frequently with walls of container hence more
force exerted which lead to high gas pressure.
 During cooling temperature decreases and molecules lose kinetic energy
 Less energetic molecules collide less frequently with walls of container hence less force
exerted which lead to low gas pressure.

Volume
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  As the volume increases molecules collide less frequently with walls of container hence
less force exerted which lead to low gas pressure.
 As the volume decreases molecules collide more frequently with walls of container hence
more force exerted which lead to high gas pressure.

Absolute temperature

This is the temperature in the Kelvin scale. Temperature in the Kevin scale is represented by T
while the temperature in the Celsius scale (oC) is represented by Ɵ.
Units’ conversion from the Kelvin scale to Celsius scale is as follows:
T =θ+273

Units’ conversion from the Celsius scale to Kelvin scale is as follows:

θ=T −273
Example
1. Convert the temperature 232oC to Kelvin.
T =θ+273

T =232+273
T =505 K

2. Convert the temperature 300 K to Celsius.

θ=T −273
θ=300−273
θ=27 ℃

Exercises
1. Convert the following degree Celsius scale temperature to Kelvin scale temperature.
(i) -273 oC
(ii) -100 oC
(iii) 0 oC
(iv) 100 oC
(v) 27 oC
2. Convert the following Kelvin scale temperature to degree Celsius scale temperature.
(i) 0K
(ii) 273K
(iii) 33K
(iv) 673K
(v) 100K

GAS LAWS

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Boyle’s law
It relates the pressure (P) of a fixed mass of gas to the volume (V) at constant thermodynamic
temperature (T).
Boyle’s law states: For a fixed mass of a gas at constant temperature, pressure is inversely
proportioned to the volume. In symbols:
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Pα
V
Mathematically:
k
P= or PV =k where k = proportionality constant
V

Thus P1V1 =P2V2

Examples
1. The pressure of a gas in a piston is 1.5 bar when the volume is 10 cubic centimeter. The
volume is increased and the pressure falls to 1.2 bar. Calcate the new volume of the gas.

P1 × V 2=P2 ×V 2
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¯ 10 cm =1.2 ×
1.5 × ¯ V2

3
¯ 10 cm
1.5 ×
1.2 ¯¿=V 2 ¿

new volume=……12.5 cm3………[2]

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2. The volume of a certain gas in a piston is reduced of its original value what happens to
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the pressure of the gas?
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………………..pressure will increase by ………………………………………...[1].
2

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Note: If the volume changes by say x, then the pressure will change by .
x

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 3. A measured mass of gas is placed in a cylinder at atmospheric pressure and is then slowly
compressed.

The temperature of the gas does not change.

What happens to the pressure of the gas?
A. It drops to zero.
B. It decreases, but not to zero.
C. It stays the same.
D. It increases.

Exercises
1.

2.

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Charles’ law
It relates the volume of a fixed mass of gas to the thermodynamic temperature at constant
pressure.
Charles’ law states: for a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure (P) its volume (V) is directly
proportional to its thermodynamic temperature (T). For example if the temperature is doubled
the volume is also doubled if the temperature is halved the volume is also halved. Symbolically;
V αT NB: Temperature in kelvin
Mathematically:
V
V =k ×T or =k where k = proportionality constant
T

V1 V2
Thus =
T 1 T2

EXAMPLE: A sample of carbon dioxide in a pump has a volume of 21.5 mL, and it is at 50.0
°C. When the amount of gas and pressure remain constant, find the new volume of carbon
dioxide in the pump if the temperature is increased to 75.0 °C.
Solution:

V2 = V1T2/T1

V2 = 7,485.225/ 323

V2 = 23 mL

Pressure law

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It relates the pressure of a fixed mass of gas to the thermodynamic temperature at constant
volume.
Pressure law states: for a fixed mass of gas at constant volume (V) its pressure (P) is directly
proportional to its thermodynamic temperature (T). In symbols;
PαT NB: Temperature in kelvin
Mathematically:
P
P=k ×T or =k where k = proportionality constant
T

P 1 P2
Thus =
T1 T 2

EXAMPLE: Determine the pressure change when a constant volume of gas at 2.00 atm is
heated from 30.0 °C to 40.0 °C.
Solution:

P1 = 2.00 atm
P2 =?
T1 = (30 + 273) = 303 K
T2 = (40 + 273) = 313 K

P∝T
According to the Preasure law,

P/T = constant
P1/T1 = P2/T2
P2 =( P1 T2 ) / T1
= (2 x 313) / 303
=2.06 atm

Combined gas Law

If we want to compare the same gas in different cases, the law can be represented as,

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P1V1 / T1 = P2V2 / T2

Ideal gas Law

Ideal gases are also known as perfect gas. It establishes a relationship among the four different
gas variables such as pressure (P), Volume (V), Temperature (T) and amount of gas (n).
Mathematically Ideal gas law is expressed as,

PV = nRT

Where,

V = volume of gas

T = temperature of the gas

P = pressure of the gas

R = universal gas constant

And n denotes the number of moles

We can also use the equivalent equation given below.

PV = kNT

Where, k = Boltzmann constant and N = number of gas molecules.

EXAMPLE : 1) A sealed jar whose volume is exactly 1 L, which contains 1 mole of air at a
temperature of 20 degrees Celcius, assuming that the air behaves as an ideal gas. So, what is the
pressure inside the jar in Pa?

Solution:

By solving with the help of the ideal gas equation,

PV = nRT

(1) By rearranging the equation, we can get,

P = nRT/V

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(2) Write down all the values which are known in the SI unit.

n= 1

R= 8.314J/K/mol

T= 20degree celcius=(20+273)K=293K

V=1L=0.001m3

(3) Put all the values in the equation

P= nRT/V

P=(1*8.314*293)/0.001

P= 2,437,249

P=2.437*10^6 Pa

The pressure is almost 24atm.

Application of Gas-law

During summer, when the temperature is high, and pressure is also high, a tire is at risk of
bursting because it is inflated with air. Or when you start climbing a mountain, you feel problems
related to inhaling. Why does it happen?

Example
1. An experiment is set up as shown.

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 What does the pressure gauge show as the air in the flask becomes hotter?
A a steady pressure
B a decrease in pressure
C an increase in pressure
D an increase and then a decrease in pressure

Exercises

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