Kinetic particle theory and

state changes
• Thermal expansion of solids, liquids
and gases
• All three states of matter (solid, liquid and
gas) expand when heated. The atoms
themselves do not expand, but the
volume they take up does.
 Kinetic particle theory and
state changes
• When a solid is heated, its atoms vibrate
faster about their fixed points.
• The relative increase in the size of solids
when heated is therefore small.
• Metal railway tracks have small gaps so
that when the sun heats them, the tracks
expand into these gaps and don’t buckle.
Why are there gaps between
bridge segments?
• These gaps in the bridges are known as
expansion joints. Expansion joints are
basically gaps in the bridge that allow the
bridge to expand and contract. Without
these gaps, the bridge may fall apart.
• Bridges are typically made of concrete
and/or steel. These components expand
with higher temperature and contract at
lower temperatures. Bridges also move
with traffic loading.
• You may be interested to know that there
are also expansion joints in the bridge
railing, bridge conduit and bridge barrier.
These usually have one piece that moves
inside of the other to allow the bridge to
expand and contract.
 Kinetic particle theory and
state changes

• Liquids expand for the same reason, but

because the bonds between separate
molecules are usually less tight they
expand more than solids. This is the
principle behind liquid-in-glass
thermometers. An increase in temperature
results in the expansion of the liquid which
means it rises up the glass.
 Kinetic particle theory and
state changes
• Molecules within gases are further apart
and weakly attracted to each other. Heat
causes the molecules to move faster,
(heat energy is converted to kinetic
energy) which means that the volume of a
gas increases more than the volume of a
solid or liquid.
• However, gases that are contained in a
fixed volume cannot expand - and so
increases in temperature result in
Collisions of Gas Particles
Collisions of Gas Particles
Kinetic Theory
 Kinetic Molecular Theory
Postulates of the Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases

1. Gases consist of tiny particles (atoms or molecules)

2. These particles are so small, compared with the distances between

them, that the volume (size) of the individual particles can be assumed
to be negligible (zero).

3. The particles are in constant random motion, colliding with the walls of
the container. These collisions with the walls cause the pressure exerted
by the gas.

4. The particles are assumed not to attract or to repel each other.

5. The average kinetic energy of the gas particles is directly proportional

to the Kelvin temperature of the gas
Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT)
 explains why gases behave as they do
 deals w/“ideal” gas particles…

1. …are so small that they are assumed to have zero volume

2. …are in constant, straight-line motion

3. …experience elastic collisions in which no energy is lost
4. …have no attractive or repulsive forces toward each other
5. …have an average kinetic energy (KE) that is proportional
to the absolute temp. of gas (i.e., Kelvin temp.)

AS TEMP. , KE
Elastic vs. Inelastic Collisions

3
 Elastic vs. Inelastic Collisions

v1 POW v2
8

elastic collision

v3 v4
8

inelastic collision
 Elastic Collision

v1
8

before

v2
8

after
 Model Gas Behavior
• All collisions must be elastic
• Take one step per beat of the
metronome  Mark area of container
• Container with tape on ground.
– Class stands outside tape box  Add only a few
• Higher temperature molecules of inert gas
– Faster beats of metronome  Increase temperature
• Decreased volume  Decrease volume
– Divide box in half  Add more gas
• More Moles  Effect of diffusion
– More students are inside box  Effect of effusion
(opening size)
 Kinetic Molecular Theory
• Particles in an ideal gas…
– have no volume.
– have elastic collisions.
– are in constant, random, straight-line motion.
– don’t attract or repel each other.
– have an avg. KE directly related to Kelvin temperature.

Courtesy Christy Johannesson www.nisd.net/communicationsarts/pages/chem

 Molecular Velocities
molecules sorted by speed

many different molecular speeds

Fractions of particles

the Maxwell speed distribution

speed

http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/gases/slides/sld016.htm
 Real Gases
• Particles in a REAL gas…
– have their own volume
– attract each other

• Gas behavior is most ideal…

– at low pressures
– at high temperatures
– in nonpolar atoms/molecules

Courtesy Christy Johannesson www.nisd.net/communicationsarts/pages/chem

 Characteristics of Gases
Gases expand to fill any container.
– random motion, no attraction
Gases are fluids (like liquids).
– no attraction
Gases have very low densities.
– no volume = lots of empty space

Courtesy Christy Johannesson www.nisd.net/communicationsarts/pages/chem

 Characteristics of Gases
• Gases can be compressed.
– no volume = lots of empty space
• Gases undergo diffusion & effusion.
– random motion

Courtesy Christy Johannesson www.nisd.net/communicationsarts/pages/chem

 Properties of Gases

Gas properties can be modeled using math.

Model depends on:

V = volume of the gas (liters, L)

T = temperature (Kelvin, K)
P = pressure (atmospheres, atm)
n = amount (moles, mol)
Pressure - Temperature - Volume
Relationship

P T V
1
Boyle’s Pa___
V
Charles VaT

Gay-Lussac’s PaT
Pressure - Temperature - Volume
Relationship

P T
n V
1
Boyle’s Pa___
V
Charles VaT

Gay-Lussac’s PaT
 Pressure and Balloons
B
When balloon is being filled:
PA > PB
A When balloon is filled and tied:
PA = PB
When balloon deflates:
PA < PB

A = pressure exerted BY balloon

B = pressure exerted ON balloon
 Balloon Riddle

When the balloons are untied, A

will the large balloon (A) inflate
the small balloon (B); will they
end up the same size or will the
small balloon inflate the large B
balloon?

Why?

C
 REFERENCE
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zq7t
4j6/revision/2
 Kinetic Theory and the Gas Laws

10
10 10 10

(a) (b) (c)

original temperature increased temperature increased temperature
original pressure increased pressure original pressure
original volume original volume increased volume

Dorin, Demmin, Gabel, Chemistry The Study of Matter , 3rd Edition, 1990, page 323 (newer book)