PROPERTIES AND BEHAVIOR OF GASES

AS BASIS ON KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY

2nd SEMESTER/3rd QUARTER/WEEK 3 - 4
The basic assumptions of the kinetic theory are:

1. Gases are made up of very small particles called molecules. There are big empty spaces between the molecules of gases. The
molecules are very small compared to the distance between them, thus making them compressible. This explains also why gases
have low density.
2. Molecules of gases are in constant random motion. The particles are moving in a straight line at different speeds and directions.
Gases do not have definite shape and volume and exhibit expandibility, diffusibility and effusibility. Diffusibility is the ability of a
gas to scatter in space, while effusibility is the ability to escape through a small opening.
3. The outer molecular forces of attraction between gaseous particles are very weak. This attractive force is known as the Van der
Waals Force named in honor of Johannes Diderek Van der Waals (1837-1923)
4. No energy is lost upon the collision of gas particles with each other or with the walls of its container. This means that the gas
particles will continue to move even if they collide with each other or with the walls of the container. The collision of molecules
with the walls exerts pressure on the container.
5. The average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas. This means that as the
absolute temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the gas particles also increases and vice versa.
 Relationship Among Molecular Interactions and Phases of Matter
Based on the kinetic theory, a gas consists of very small independent particles that move a random in space and experience elastic
collisions.
Matter in the gaseous phase occupies a volume of the order of 100 times that which it occupies in the liquid or solid phase. Thus,
molecules of gases are much farther apart than those of liquids or solids.

 Diffusion of Gases at Standard Temperature and Pressure

The Expansion and diffusion of gases are both explained by the fact that gas molecules are essentially independent particles. They
move through space until they strike other gas molecules or the walls of the container. A gas moves very rapidly into an evacuated
container.

 Volume and Pressure Relationship

Robert Boyle was the first scientist to measure the relationship between volume and pressure of gases at constant temperature. He
found out that volume of a certain amount of any gas at constant temperature is inversely proportional to the pressure exerted by the
gas. This is known as Boyle’s law.

 Volume and Temperature Relationship

Jacques Alexandre Charles, a French physicist, performed experiments on the relationship between the volume and temperature of
gases. Using the Kelvin temperature scale absolute temperature, Charle’s law can be stated as: the volume of a definite quantity of dry
gas varies directly with the Kelvin absolute temperature, provided the pressure remains constant.