KINETIC MOLECULAR

MODEL OF SOLIDS AND

LIQUIDS

Prepared by
JOJI C. VICTORIANO, MChem
Master Teacher II
Roxas Stand-Alone Senior High School
Learning Competency
Use kinetic molecular model to explain
properties of liquids and solids
(STEM_GC11IMFIIIa-c-99)
What is Kinetic Molecular
Theory?
➢ The kinetic molecular theory is a theory that explains
the states is matter and is based on the idea that
matter is composed of tiny particles that are always in
motion.
➢ The theory helps explain observable properties and
behaviors of solids, liquids, and gases.
➢ An application of the theory is that it helps to explain
why matter exists in different phases (solid, liquid and
gas) and how matter can change from one phase to
another.
What is Kinetic Molecular
Theory?
➢ The state of a substance depends on the balance
between the kinetic energy of individual particles
(molecules or atoms) and the intermolecular forces.
➢ The kinetic energy keeps the molecules apart and
moving around and is a function of temperature of the
substance.
➢ The intermolecular forces are attractive forces that try
to draw the particles together.
Postulates of Kinetic
Molecular Theory
The Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT) is based on a
series of postulates. Some of the postulates of KMT are
as follows:
1. Matter is made of particles that are constantly in
motion. This energy of motion is called kinetic
energy.
2. The amount of kinetic energy in a substance is
related to its temperature. Increased in temperature
means greater speed.
Postulates of Kinetic
Molecular Theory
3. There is space between particles. The amount of
space in between particles is related to the
substance’s state of matter.
4. Phase changes happen when the temperature of the
substance changes sufficiently.
5. There are attractive forces in between particles called
intermolecular forces. The strength of these
forces increase as particles get closer together.
KMT of Liquids and Solids
➢ The principal difference between the
condensed states (liquids and solid) and the
gaseous state is the distance between
molecules.
❖ In a liquid, the molecules are so close together that
there is very little empty space. Thus, liquids are
much more difficult to compress than gases, and they
are also much denser under normal conditions.
❖ Molecules in a liquid are held together by one or
more types of attractive forces.
❖ A liquid also has a definite volume, because
molecules in a liquid do not break away from the
attractive forces.
❖ The molecules can, however, move past one another
freely, and so a liquid can flow, can be poured, and
assumes the shape of its container.
❖In a solid, molecules are held rigidly in
position with virtually no freedom of motion,
so they only vibrate about fixed positions.
❖There is even less empty space in a solid
than in a liquid because their particles are
tightly packed.
❖Thus, solids are almost incompressible and
possess definite shape and volume. This is
due to stronger intermolecular force of
attraction compared to liquids.
Activity 1: Color Drop
Materials:
a glass of hot water
a glass of cold water
liquid or powdered food color
Procedure:
1. Label the two glasses hot and cold to
their temperatures to avoid confusion.
2. Put an equal drops of food color into
the two glasses at the same time.
Observe what happens and compare.
Guide Questions
1. What happens after dropping the food color
into the water? Why did this happen?
2. How can you compare the rate of diffusion
into the two glasses? What is the reason for
this difference?
3. How can you relate the kinetic molecular
theory with the experiment?
4. What do you think will happen if the
substance does not follow kinetic molecular
theory?
Activity 2: Describe Me
Characteristic Solid Liquid
Intermolecular force

Shape

Volume
Density

Compressibility

Arrangement of
Particles
Motion of Molecules
Fluidity
Activity 2: Describe Me
Characteristic Solid Liquid

Intermolecular force Strong Strong but weaker than

solid
Shape Definite Indefinite

Volume Definite Definite

Density Have higher density High density

than liquids
Compressibility Virtually incompressible Slightly compressible

Arrangement of Have ordered Have disordered

Particles arrangement that is clusters of particles that
close to each other are quite close together
Motion of Molecules Vibrates in fixed Have random motion
position
Fluidity Does not flow/Not fluid Flows freely/Fluid
Let’s Test Your Understanding

Directions: Read and analyze each item

carefully. Write the letter of the correct in
your answer sheet.
1. In the broadest sense, what was the
Kinetic Molecular Theory designed
to explain?
A. Phase changes
B. The behavior of matter
C. The types of intermolecular force
D. The types of crystalline solids
2. What happens to the kinetic energy of
particles when there is an increase
in temperature?
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Reduce by half
D. Does not change
3. Why are solids and liquids considered
as condensed states?
A. Their intermolecular force is
weaker compared to gas
B. They have smaller spaces
between molecules compared
to gas
C. They have lower densities
D. Their particles vibrates at fix
position
4. Which of the following properties
pertains to solid only?
A. They expand slightly when heated
B. The particles are able to slide
past one another
C. The kinetic energy is sufficient to
overcome the attractive forces
D. They diffuse extremely slow
because the particles are tightly
packed
5. Rank the matter based on decreasing
the relative strength of attractive
forces between particles
A. liquid, solid, gas
B. solid, liquid, gas
C. gas, liquid, solid
D. liquid, gas, solid
6. Rank the matter based on decreasing
amount of space between particles.
A. liquid, solid, gas
B. solid, liquid, gas
C. gas, liquid, solid
D. liquid, gas, solid
7. Which of the following is common to
both solids and liquids?
A. They are slightly compressible
B. They have fixed shape and
volume
C. They have sufficient kinetic
energy to overcome their
attractive forces
D. They have a strong intermolecular
forces of attraction and vibrate
in fixed position
8. Which of the following explains why
gases are less dense than solids?
A. Gases have faster moving
particles that are very close
together.
B. Gases have faster moving
particles that are far apart.
C. Gases have slow moving particles
that are very close together.
D. Gases have slow moving particles
that are close together.
9. What happens to water molecules
when cooled?
A. The water molecules become
excited
B. The water molecules slide past
each other
C. The water molecules become
fixed in position
D. The force between molecules
breaks
10. Which of the following has the
strongest intermolecular force?
A. Ice
B. Steam
C. Water
D. All have the same strength of IMF
Answer
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. C
10. A
Thank you !!!