Video 1

Lesson 1.13: States of matter - Gases (Part 4).

The kinetic theory of gases
Aim: To study the kinetic theory of gases.
 The kinetic theory of gases
• The kinetic theory of gases is a generally
accepted and applied theory explaining the
properties of gases.

Video 2
 The first postulate of the kinetic theory
(Particle Volume)
• Gases consist of microscopic particles, the
distance between which is such that the actual
volume of particles is negligible compared to
the volume of the spaces between them.
(The gas particles are considered to have Video 3
mass, but no volume.)
- Example (Compressibility of gases)
In oxygen gas, 99.96% of the total
volume is empty space. In normal
conditions 1 cm3 of oxygen gas
contains 2.7 x 1019 molecules,
separated by an average distance of
about 3.7 nm, which is thirteen times
the diameter of an oxygen molecule.
 The second postulate of the kinetic
theory (Particle Intermolecular Forces)
• Intermolecular forces are
very weak in gases and do
not affect their observed
properties. Attractive and
repulsive forces between gas
molecules are negligible.
• Example: Expand
spontaneously of gases
Video 4
 The third postulate of the kinetic
theory (Particle motion)
- Gas particles are in constant, random, straight-line
motion except when they collide with each other
or with the container walls.
Collisions among molecules are
perfectly elastic. Energy can be
transferred between gas particles
during collisions, but the average
kinetic energy of the molecules does
not change with time, as long as the
temperature of the gas remains
constant.
Video 5
The fourth postulate of the kinetic theory
(Particle Collisions)
The average kinetic energy of the
molecules is proportional to
the temperature of the gas in
kelvins. Any two gases at
the same temperature will
have the same average
kinetic energy

- At a higher temperature, gas particles

hit the walls of the container
with greater energy.
- An increase in temperature causes
a simultaneous increase
in gas pressure. Video 6
 Low T

Maxwell-Boltzmann
numbe

High T
with a
molec

speed
given
total

ules
n of

r of
the

Distribution
U1 u2 kinetic energy / molecular velocities

• The total area under the curve = the total number of molecules in a given
sample.
• At any temperature, very few molecules have speeds close to zero, and
very few molecules have extremely high speeds.
• The distribution is temperature dependent. At low temperature, the
maximum (the most probable speed) is higher and the curve has little
spread.
• As temperature increase, not only does the peak shift toward the right,
but the curve also flattens out.
• The distribution of speeds is unchanged, even though energy and velocity
exchanges between the molecules are proceeding continually (as long as
the temperature remains constant).
• The number of molecules with high kinetic energy approximately doubles
with every 10 degree rise in temperature.
• The distribution depends on the molecular mass. Light gases have a
higher average speed and a wider distribution of speeds than heavier
gases.
 Apparatus for studying molecular speed distribution

The distribution of speeds

for nitrogen gas molecules
at three different temperatures

urms = √ 3RT
M
 The properties of gases and the gas laws
• Compressibility of Gases
• Boyle’s Law
• P α collision rate with
wall
• Collision rate α number
density
• Number density α 1/V
• P α 1/V
• Charles’ Law
• P α collision rate with
wall
• Collision rate α
average kinetic energy
of gas molecules
• Average kinetic energy
αT
• PαT
• Avogadro’s Law
P α collision rate with wall
Collision rate α number
density
Number density α n
Pαn
• Dalton’s Law of Partial
Pressures
Molecules do not attract or
repel one another
P exerted by one type of
molecule is unaffected
by the presence of
another gas
Ptotal = ΣPi
The relationship between the speeds and
masses of gas molecules
• The kinetic teory of gases The distribution of speeds
explains Graham’s law of of three different gases
effusion. at the same temperature
• A heavier molecule moves
more slowly than a lighter
one.
• It collides with a porous
barrier less frequently.
• The probability of
penetration of the barrier
is lower for a heavier
molecule.
 Activity
(Changes in the state of gases)
• What change or changes in the state of
a gas brings about each of the following T V P
effects?
2. The number of impacts per unit time on ↑ ↓ ↑
a given container wall increases.
2. The average energy of impact of
molecules with the wall of the container
↓ - -
decreases.
4. The average distance between gas - ↑ ↓
molecules increases.
4. The average speed of molecules in the ↑ - -
gas mixture is increased.

Note;T: Temperature, V: Volume, P: Pressure, ↑ for increase, ↓ for decrease

 Conclusion
• At the end of the lesson the students
should be able to:
1. state and explain the basic assumptions
of the kinetic theory of gases as applied to
an ideal gas