Kinetic Theory Notes 1

Unit 1 Notes: Kinetic Theory
Hypotheses
● The hypothesis is an educated prediction of a

situation. It is what is tested by scientists.
○ A hypothesis should be tested by several trials
or several scientists.
What is a theory?
The everyday definition

versus the scientific theory
Theory
● A scientific theory explains how and why

something occurs.
○ Theories describe qualitatively, meaning by

qualities or descriptions.
Theory
○ Example: Atomic Theory: This theory explains
that all things are are made up of atoms.
○ Simple terms, a theory is the “why” or “how”

Let’s say that the majority of scientists
accept the explanation of a theory. Does it
then become a scientific law?
Law
● A scientific law describes a situation and
summarizes the results of many experiments.
● Laws are often describe with mathematical

formulas which means quantitatively.
Law
○ Example: Law of Conservation of Mass. The

law states mass cannot be created nor
destroyed (in closed systems).
○ Simple terms, a law is the “what”
Is it possible for a theory or a law to change or
be thrown out?
○ The simple answer is YES, as long as there
is substantial evidence to support it.
○ Examples:
■ Atomic Theory- they discovered
subatomic particles, smaller than atoms
■ Law of Triads- elements existed in
groups of 3
Practice Questions
1. Theory or Law? Earth’s magnetic field is

caused by conductive liquid in its core.
2. Theory of Law? Things falling toward

the center of the Earth will accelerate at
9.8 m/sec2.
Practice Questions
1. Qualitative of Quantitative? The speed of

the reaction doubled when heated.
2. Qualitative or Quantitative? Two clear

liquids were mixed and the result was a
cloudy solution.
STOP HERE.
Kinetic Theory
There are five main parts to the kinetic theory of

gases. These parts only apply during standard
temperatures and pressures, also referred to as
STP. As the temperatures and pressures reach
extremes (think -273 Celsius, which is about -450
Fahrenheit) some parts of the theory fail
.
Part 1
Gases will fill the entire volume allowed.

○ This means that if 10 oxygen molecules are
released in a classroom, they will arrange
themselves equally throughout that space.
○ If the same 10 were released in a
gymnasium, they will do the same.
Part 2
Gases can be compressed.
○ The volume can be either increased or

decreased in size.
Part 3
The motion of gases is random.

○ Particles continue in straight line motion
until a collision occurs.
○ Collisions can occur with other particles or

walls of a container
Part 4
Gas molecules have elastic collisions.

○ When particles collide or bounce off one
another, there is no net loss of kinetic energy.
○ However, energy can be transferred from one
particle to another.
Part 5
The kinetic energy of a gas molecule is measured

by temperature.
○ Higher kinetic energy results in higher

temperatures.
○ Lower kinetic energy results in lower

temperatures.
STOP HERE.
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
How are they similar?
How are they different?
Discuss with a partner for a minute. Come up with a least one

for each.
The major differences in solids, liquids, and gases is due to

the strength of the attractive forces between atoms.
Volume
- Volume is the amount of space that matter takes up.

- Examples: swimming pool, balloon, muffin tin, syringe
Pressure
Pressure is a measure of force per unit surface
area.
*****For instance, assume you are standing. You are
exerting a force on the floor. The surface area is the
size of both of your feet. If you stand on only one
foot, the force would be the same but the surface
area is halved so the pressure doubles.
Pressure
- When referring to gases, pressure is the measure

of the force exerted when two gas particles collide
with each other or with their container.
Pressure
The molecules that make up the air around you are

constantly colliding with each other and the
objects in the room. These collisions make up air
pressure.
Pressure
-Atmospheric pressure is determined using an

instrument known as a barometer.
The barometer is filled with mercury because of its
density.
Barometer
As atmospheric pressure pushes down on the

mercury, it forces the mercury up the column.
Atmospheric pressure is measured by the distance
the mercury is displaced.
Units of Pressure
1 atm: atmospheres
101,325 Pa: pascals
101.325 kPa: kilopascals
760 mmHg: millimeters of Mercury

760 torr
Temperature
- Temperature is often confused with heat but the

two are quite different.
● Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic

energy of molecules.
● Heat is the measure of the total kinetic energy
of molecules.
Temperature
- All molecules are in a state of motion.
- The motion is measured by kinetic energy.

Temperature
- However, not all molecules are moving at the

same speed and thus do not have the same kinetic
energy.
- The average is taken to determine the speed of the
majority of the molecules.
Temperature
The average kinetic energy is reported in three

different scales.
● Fahrenheit (°F)
● Celsius (°C)
● Kelvin (K)
Temperature
- Each scale is used by certain individuals about the

world. The scientific community prefers Celsius or
Kelvin.
- The Celsius scale was designed to have the boiling
point of water be 100°C while the freezing point of
water would be 0°C.
Temperature
The Kelvin scale was designed using the same

increments as Celsius but instead placed zero at
absolute zero.
● Absolute zero indicates the temperature
where molecular motion stops.
Kindergarteners!!
The way I remember what temperature, pressure,

and volume are, in terms of atoms, is to think of the
atoms like kindergarteners!

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Unit 1 Notes: Kinetic Theory

● The hypothesis is an educated prediction of a

The everyday definition

● A scientific theory explains how and why

○ Theories describe qualitatively, meaning by

○ Simple terms, a theory is the “why” or “how”

● Laws are often describe with mathematical

○ Example: Law of Conservation of Mass. The

1. Theory or Law? Earth’s magnetic field is

2. Theory of Law? Things falling toward

1. Qualitative of Quantitative? The speed of

2. Qualitative or Quantitative? Two clear

There are five main parts to the kinetic theory of

Gases will fill the entire volume allowed.

Gases can be compressed.

○ The volume can be either increased or

The motion of gases is random.

○ Collisions can occur with other particles or

Gas molecules have elastic collisions.

The kinetic energy of a gas molecule is measured

○ Higher kinetic energy results in higher

○ Lower kinetic energy results in lower

How are they different?

Discuss with a partner for a minute. Come up with a least one

The major differences in solids, liquids, and gases is due to

- Volume is the amount of space that matter takes up.

- When referring to gases, pressure is the measure

The molecules that make up the air around you are

-Atmospheric pressure is determined using an

As atmospheric pressure pushes down on the

760 mmHg: millimeters of Mercury

- Temperature is often confused with heat but the

● Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic

- All molecules are in a state of motion.

- The motion is measured by kinetic energy.

- However, not all molecules are moving at the

The average kinetic energy is reported in three

- Each scale is used by certain individuals about the

The Kelvin scale was designed using the same

The way I remember what temperature, pressure,

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