Kinetic Theory of Matter

Kinetic theory explains the basic properties of solids, liquids and

gases.

• Solids are definite in shape and volume. They have intermolecular

forces and bonds.

• Liquids do not have a definite shape but they do have a definite

volume at certain temperatures. Both liquids and solids are dense as
their atoms are closely packed together. They are then regarded as
incompressible.

• Atoms of gases have no intermolecular bonds or forces. Therefore

they have low densities, compared to solids and liquids, and are
compressible.

Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume (kgm-3)

Pressure

Pressure is define as force per unit area (1Nm-2 = 1Pa)

Kinetic Theory of Gases

It is assumed that molecules of any gas are completely free and

experience no intermolecular forces. Their velocities are very high, even
at room temperatures e.g. 500ms-1. Evidence for this can be seen in the
Brownian motion experiment.

Brownian motion

Continuous, random motion of gas molecules is called Brownian

motion. This can be seen when smoke particles are observed under a
 microscope and can be seen being randomly jostled by faster-
moving air molecules.

Gas Laws

Boyle’s Law

The volume of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to

the pressure exerted when the temperature remains constant.

Pressure Law

The pressure of a fixed mass of gas is proportional to the

absolute temperature when the volume remains constant.

Charles’ Law

The volume of a fixed mass of gas is proportional to the

absolute temperature when the pressure remains constant.

Ideal Gas Equation

The three gas laws; Boyle’s law, Charles’ law and the Pressure law can
be combined into one equation:
 This can also be written as

For one mole of gas, this constant is R, the universal gas constant,
which has the value of 8.31Jmol-1K-1

For one mole of gas

For n molecules of gas

The mole

The mole is a unit for measuring the amount of a substance. One

mole of a substance contains 6.02 x 1023mol-1; this is known as the
Avogadro constant

Molar mass of a substance is that mass which contains 6.02 x 1023

particles; expressed in mol-1 it is equal to the relative atomic mass
of the substance.

Ideal and Real Gases

A gas which obeys Boyle’s law is described as being and ideal gas. For
most gases in practice, some assumptions have to be made:

1. All gases that are pure consist of identical molecules that are in
constant, random motion (Brownian motion)

2. Molecules never stop moving so all collisions are elastic; no kinetic

energy lost

3. Gases can be compressed as the volume of one molecule is

negligible compared to the volume the whole gas can occupy

4. There are almost no intermolecular forces

Mathematical description of the Behaviour of Gases

Assume for one molecule, it moves on the x plain

 For ONE molecule

Total Number of Molecules  N

Avogadro’s Law

Avogadro’s law states that equal volumes of gases under the

same conditions of temperature and pressure contain the
same number of molecules.

Root Mean Square Velocity

The root mean square (rms) speed of a gas is the square root of the
mean of the squares of the speeds:

Relationship between the Kinetic energy of a gas and its

Temperature

One mole of any gas contains 6.02 x 1023 particles. This is the Avogadro

Constant . Therefore for one mole;

 Thermodynamics

If two objects are placed in thermal contact, heat will flow from the hotter
object to the colder object. This may cause:

• An increase in the internal energy of the object

• Or it may allow the object to do work

• Or it may cause both to occur.

The internal energy of an object is the sum of the kinetic and potential
energies of the molecules within the object.

When two objects are the same temperature and are in contact, there is
no overall net heat transfer. The objects are in thermal equilibrium.
This is the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics where the two bodies are in
thermal equilibrium with a third must be in equilibrium.

First Law of Thermodynamics

 The change in internal energy of a system is equal to the sum of the

energy entering the system by heating and the energy entering the

system through work being done on it

Adiabatic and Isothermal Changes

Consider a sample of gas trapped in a perfectly insulated cylinder. If a piston

is pushed in and the gas is compressed, work is done on the gas. If no heat
enters or is lost, that is , this is called an adiabatic compression.

If the same sample of gas is placed in a cylinder which is a perfect conductor

and is compressed slowly; any small increase in the temperature of the gas
causes heat to flow out of the system until thermal equilibrium with the
surroundings. The gas is compressed without an increase in temperature
. This is called an isothermal compression.

Boltzmann Factor ( )

Area

Low Pressure

Adds Extra Weight

Same
Temperat No. of Molecules per
ure
unit volume

High
Mass of Each Molecule =

The mass added by the extra weight

= No. of Molecules per unit volume x Mass of each molecule x Area x Change
in height

As you go to higher altitudes, decreases b

Recall from previously:

Recall:

This is the Boltzmann Factor ( )

This is the ratio of the number of particles in states differing by

energy is equal to the Boltzmann Factor
 In other words, the Boltzmann Factor is the rate of reaction.

Activation Energy is the energy that particles need to overcome

before a change or a reaction can occur.

Appreciable rates of reaction or change, in a reaction can be seen in

the range:

15 - 30

Boltzmann
Factor

Increasing Increasing

Increasing
The temperature is HOT The temperature is
COLD
T High
T Low
Low
High