KINETIC THEORY MODEL OF MATTER
BROWNIAN MOTION
Brownian motion is the random movement of particles or random particle bombardment or
haphazard movement of particle as they collide with fast moving air or gas molecules.
Example:
- Dust particles as they collide with air molecules.
- Smoke as it collides with air particles.
- Pollen grains as they float in air and collide with air particles.
According to kinetic theory of matter, its simple state that matter is a package of large number of
small particles, individual atoms or molecules, which are in constant random motion.
THREE STATES OF MATTER
A change in kinetic energy or motion of individual particle within a system of particles a change in
state of matter takes effect.
Kinetic theory of matter relates the microscopic properties of atoms which are not directly
measurable to measurable macroscopic properties of matter like temperature and pressure.
Temperature
The higher the temperature the greater the average kinetic energy so the faster the speed of the
molecule and the greater the pressure.
ABSOLUTE TEMPERATURE
Absolute zero (0K) is the lowest temperature possible where molecular motion is minimum. As
temperature decreases the average kinetic energy of the molecular decreases eventually all molecules
cease moving.
A plot of V vs T or P vs T will each cut at -273 ºC, thus pressure and volume of a gas seems to
reduce to 0 at -273 ºC or 0K temperature, assuming the gas remains as gas.
Absolute zero equal to -273 ºC or 0K = -273 ºC
Kelvin temperature scale
Absolute temperature (T)= Celsius Scale + 273
T(K) = θ(ºC) +273
where T is temperature in kelvin and θ temperature in degree Celsius.
Pressure
Random movement of gas particle exerts a pressure on the wall of the container as they collide with
the wall. The greater the collision on the wall the greater the pressure exerted by the gas particles.
For a closed container the pressure can be increased in three ways,
- Increasing temperature
- Reducing the volume of the container, for same number of particles
- Increasing the number of particles for same volume of a container
THREE GAS LAWS
BOY’S LAW
The pressure and volume of a gas have an inverse relationship at a constant temperature and constant
mass. Mathematically it can be expressed as P α 1/V and plot a P vs 1/V it’s a curve that indicate that
when P increases, V decreases and when P also decreases V increases.
The proportionality can be converted into an equation as PV= constant, a plot of P vs 1/V gives a
straight line, hence P1V1=P2 V2
CHARLE’S LAW
The volume of a fixed mass of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature if the pressure
is kept constant. Gas expands when heated, that means when temperature increases volume also
increases, verse versa.
A plot of V vs T gives a straight line from origin. Mathematically Charles law can be written as V α
T and V/T = constant, thus V1/T1 = V2/T2
GAY-LUSSAC’S LAW
The pressure of a fixed mass of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature at constant
volume. When gas temperature its pressure also increases, at constant volume and mass of the gas.
A plot of P vs T gives a straight line from origin. Mathematically Gay-Lussac’s law can be written as
P α T and P/T = constant, thus P1/T1 = P2/T2
GAS EQUATION
Combing the three-gas law above one gets an equation called Gas Equation, PV/T = constant,
therefore P1V1 / T1 = P2V2/T2.
