Physics

Electricity and Energy

1.4 Heat and Gas Laws

Notes
Content Level 4
I have developed my understanding of the kinetic model of a gas. I can describe the
qualitative relationships between pressure, volume and temperature of gases.
SCN 4-05a

I have researched new developments in science and can explain how their current or
future applications might impact on modern life.
SCN 4-20a
Having selected scientific themes of topical interest, I can critically analyse the issues,
and use relevant information to develop an informed argument.
SCN 4-20b

I have carried out research into novel materials and can begin to explain the scientific
basis of their properties and discuss the possible impacts they may have on society.
SCN 4-16a

Through experimentation, I can explain floating and sinking in terms of the relative
densities of different materials.
SCN 4-08b

Content National 4
Energy Transfer
Conduction of heat
Convection of heat
Radiation of heat

Gas laws and the kinetic model

Kinetic model of a gas.
Effects of varying pressure, volume or temperature of a fixed mass of gas
Applications of the kinetic model of a gas using knowledge of pressure, volume and
temperature (for a fixed mass of gas).

Electricity and Energy 2 Content Statements

Heat and Temperature

Heat is a form of energy, measured in Joules (J).

The particles that make up any object have kinetic energy.

The greater the heat energy the greater the kinetic energy of the particles.

Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is.

We measure temperature using a thermometer.

There is more than one temperature scale. The Celsius temperature scale is a
very common scale where temperatures are given as degrees Celsius (°C)

Common Temperatures

Water boils at °C.

Normal body temperature is °C.

Water freezes at °C.

Other temperature scales are the Kelvin scale (used when carrying out
calculations with gases) and the Fahrenheit scale (an older scale sometimes used
to describe weather temperature)

We can describe temperature as a measure of the mean kinetic energy of the

particles making up an object.

Electricity and Energy 3 N4 Heat & Temperature

States of Matter

Solid heat in liquid heat in gas

Solid heat out liquid heat out gas

The particles in a solid are tightly packed and held together.

If we add heat energy the particles vibrate more and the bonds begin to
break. The solid changes in to a liquid (melts).

The particles in a liquid are closely packed but can move around.

If we add heat energy the particles move round more and the liquid begins
to change into a gas.

The particles in the gas move around quickly and are spaced far apart.

Electricity and Energy 4 N4 States of Matter

Learning Outcomes

At National 4 level, by the end of this section you should be able to:
Gas laws and the kinetic model

 1. Describe the 3 states of matter in terms of the arrangement and

movement of particles within them.

 2. Describe the particles of a gas in terms of kinetic theory.

 3. List applications of the kinetic model of a gas using knowledge of

pressure, volume and temperature for a fixed mass of gas.

Electricity and Energy 5 Learning Outcomes

Pressure

P = Pressure (Pascal – Pa)

P=F F = Force (Newton – N)

A A = Area (metres squared – m2)

If you spread the weight (force) over a larger area the pressure goes down.

Practical applications – show shoes

- wide tyres on tractors to stop them sinking in mud

The mass of the box is 3kg.

0.4m Calculate the pressure exerted on the

0.3m surface when it is placed on each of
the three different sides.

0.2m W = mg = 3 x 9.8 = 26.4N

P1 = F P2 = F P3 = F
Area 1 = m2
A A A
Area 2 = m2 = = =

Area 3 = m2
= Pa = Pa = Pa

How much pressure is exerted by a 50kg woman

standing on your toe with the 1 cm2 heel of a stiletto?

P=F = = = Pa
A

Electricity and Energy 6 N4 Gas Laws and the Kinetic Model

Kinetic model of gases – practical effects

The air around you is made from atoms and molecules of gas.

The molecules move in straight lines at constant velocity until they hit into
another molecule or an obstacle. (Newton’s first law)

When they collide the molecules exert an equal and opposite force on one
another (Newton’s third law).

At normal room temperature there are many collisions per second.

Changing Temperature
At room temperature
the molecules move
at a certain velocity.
Each molecule has a
certain amount of
energy. If the temperature increases we add extra
energy to the gas molecules. This means they
move faster, causing more collisions with greater
force.

A balloon will increase in size if we heat the gas

up because the gas particles can push the walls of
the balloon out.

On a warm day the tyres on a car heat up, this

increases the pressure inside the tyre.

Electricity and Energy 7 N4 Gas Laws and the Kinetic Model

Changing Pressure

Gas stored in an aerosol is stored under

pressure. The molecues of gas collide
frequently with the walls of the
container.

If the gas is released from the aerosol

Gas the pressure goes down because the
Under particles can spread out more.

Pressure The temperature also falls when the

pressure decreases and volume increases.

The pressure in an aircraft is increased

so that it is higher than the pressure
outside the plane for the comfort of the
passengers.

Changing Volume

When you use a bicycle pump to inflate a tyre

you decrease the volume of the gas.

This increases the pressure inside the tyre.

If you feel the end of the pump you will also

notice that the temperature of the gas has
risen.

Scuba divers take tanks of air underwater so

they can breathe. The tanks are filled with a
large volume of air squeezed into a small
volume – this means the air is under pressure.

Electricity and Energy 8 N4 Gas Laws and the Kinetic Model

Combined Effects

Pressure and Volume (constant Temperature)

The molecules in a gas move around at random, hitting
``
one another and the sides of the container with a
certain force.

Pressure = force/area

If the size of the container is reduced the

molecules hit into one another and the walls of the
container more often per second. This increases the
`` force.

Since Pressure = Force/Area the pressure goes up.

Pressure and Temperature (constant Volume)

The molecues in a gas move at a certain velocity, due
``
to their kinetic energy.

When they collide with the walls of the container

they exert a force, which causes a certain pressure.

cold

If the temperature of the gas increases the

kinetic energy of the particles increases and they
`` move with greater velocity.

This causes them to collide with the walls of the

container more often per second, which increases
the pressure inside the container.
hot

Electricity and Energy 9 N4 Gas Laws and the Kinetic Model

Combined Effects

Volume and Temperature (constant Pressure)

The molecules in a gas move at a certain velocity,
due to their kinetic energy.
``
When they collide with the walls of the
container they exert a force, which helps keep
the volume of the container.

If the temperature of the gas decreases the

kinetic energy of the molecules decreases and
they move with less velocity.
``
The molecules collide with the walls of the
container less often per second and the volume
decreases.

Electricity and Energy 10 N4 Gas Laws and the Kinetic Model