The Kinetic Model of Matter
The kinetic model of matter states that tiny particles that make
up matter are always in continuous random motion
State of matter Particle
arrangement
Solid -Closely packed together usually
in a regular pattern, occupying
minimal space
-large number of particles per
unit volume
-Solids have highest densities
liquid -Randomly arranged, with
particles slightly further apart
from each other than solids
-Smaller number of units per
volume compared to solids
-Liquids have relatively high
densities
gas Randomly arranged and very far
apart from each other
-Small number of particles per
unit volume
-Gases have very low densities
Gases have the weakest forces of attraction between particles,
while solids have the strongest forces of attraction between their
particles
-The random motion of particles in gases and liquids is known as brownian motion.
Particle movement
-Particles vibrate about fixed
positions. The particles are held
in position by very strong
attractive forces between the
particles
-Particles are free to move about
within the liquid. There are
attractive forces within the
particles
-This explains why liquids have
no fixed shape and are free to
move about their containers and
take their shape while having a
fixed volume.
-Particles have very little
attraction between them and are
free to move about within the
gas randomly and at high
speeds. These particles occupy
any available space
-This explains why gases have
no fixed shape or volume and
are highly compressible
-At higher temperatures, brownian motion becomes more vigorous and agitated. This is due to the
temperature of the air molecules being higher and thus resulting in them having a higher kinetic energy,
resulting in the smoke particles moving around more after being bombarded by the faster moving air
particles.

Motion of molecules and pressure

A container filled with air does not get crushed because the air molecules of the container bombard the
walls of the container and produce an average pressure, showing us that the pressure of a gas is due to
its gas molecules colliding with the walls of the container.

The pressure P of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature

T, provided its volume remains constant. This relationship can be
expressed as p∝T
Increasing the temperature of a gas results in an increase in speed of the gas molecules. This increases
the rate and the force of the collision with the wall. Thus the gas pressure increases proportionately.

The pressure p of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to

its volume V, provided its temperature remains constant.In
symbols we can express this relationship as p=k/v where k is a
constant.

When the volume of the gas decreases, the molecules per unit area of the gas also increases. This
means that gas molecules also collide more frequently with the inner surface of the syringe and this
results in a greater force.
As P=F/A the pressure increases.

The volume V of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its

temperature, T provided its pressure remains constant. In
symbols we can express the relationship as V∝T.
A rise in temperature of the gas causes the gas molecules to move around more vigorously and collide
with the walls of the flask more frequently. The gas pressure increases and when it exceeds atmospheric
pressure, a net upward force acts on the water droplet pushing it upwards. As the coloured water droplets
move upwards, the volume of the gas increases.The coloured water droplet will stop moving upwards
when the gas pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.

For a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure increasing its temperature proportionally increases its
volume.