Kinetic Molecular Theory Group 3

GENERAL
CHEMISTRY
KINETIC
M OLECULAR
THEORY
GROUP 3
GENERAL
OBJECTIV ES
:
1. State the major concepts behind
the kinetic molecular theory of
gases.
2. Demonstrate the
relationship between kinetic
energy and
molecular speed.
3. Apply the kinetic molecular theory
to explain and predict the gas laws.
KINETIC MOLECULAR
THEORY
is a model that helps us
understand the physical
properties of gases at the
molecular level.
The Kinetic Molecular Theory of
Gases is based on these
Gases consist of particles
following concepts: (molecules or atoms) that
A.
are in constant random
W H A T ARE
motion.
Gas particles are constantly
THESE colliding with each other
and the walls of their
CONCEPTS B
.
container.
These collisions are elastic;
? tha t is, there is no net loss

of energy from the
collisions.
Gases is based on these Gas particles are small and the
following concepts: total volume occupied by gas
C
molecules is negligible relative
. to the total volume of their
W H A T ARE container.
THESE There are no interactive forces

CONCEPTS D
.
( i.e., a ttra ction or repulsion)
between the particles of a
? gas.
Gases is based on these
following concepts:
The average kinetic energy of
gas particles is proportional
W H A T ARE E
.
to the absolute temperature
of the gas, and all gases at
THESE the same temperature have
the same average kinetic
CONCEPTS energy.
?
KINETIC
M OLECULAR
THEORY
The kinetic molecular theory of
gases describes this state of matter
as composed of tiny particles in figure 6.6 "the kinetic molecular
constant motion with a lot of theory of g a s e s "
distance between the particles.

KINETIC ENERGY
AND MOLECULAR
SPEED
Gas particles are in constant motion,
and any object in motion has
kinetic energy (Ek). Kinetic energy,
for an individual atom, can be
calculated by the following equation
where m is the mass, and u is the
speed.
FIGURE 6.7
"Stylized Molecular S pe e d Distribution"
Overall, the molecules in a sample of a gas share an average kinetic

energy; however, individual molecules exhibit a distribution of kinetic
energies because of having a distribution of speeds (Figure 6.7
“Stylized Molecular Speed Distribution”). For example, in the collision of
two molecules, one molecule may be deflected at a slightly higher
speed and the other at a slightly lower speed, but the average kinetic
energy does not change.
FIGURE 6.7
"Stylized Molecular S pe e d Distribution"
When analyzing a diagram of the distribution of

molecular speeds, there are several commonly
used terms to be familiar with. The most probable
speed (ump) is the speed of the largest number of
molecules, and corresponds to the peak of the
distribution. The average speed (uav) is the mean
speed of all gas molecules in the sample. The root-
m ea n- s qua re ( rm s ) s peed ( urms) corresponds to
the speed of molecules having exactly the same
kinetic energy as the average kinetic energy of the
sample.
FIGURE
6.8
“Distribution of the Molecular Speeds of Oxygen Gas at −100, 20, and
600°C.”
KINETIC M O L E C U L A R T H E O R Y
(F O RM U LA S )
FORMULA 1
According to the kinetic molecular theory, the average
kinetic energy of gas particles is proportional to the
absolute temperature of the gas. This can be expressed
with the following equation where k represents the
Boltzmann constant. The Boltzmann constant is simply the
gas constant R divided by the Avogadro’s constant (NA).
The bar above certain terms indicates they are average
values.
(F O RM U LA S )
FORMULA 2
Since average kinetic energy is related both to the

absolute temperature and the molecular speed, we can
combine the equation above with the previous one to
determine the rms speed.
(F O RM U LA S )
FORMULA 3
This demonstrates that the rms speed is related to the

temperature. We can further manipulate this equation by
multiplying the numerator and denominator by Avogadro’s
constant (NA) to give us a form using the gas constant (R)
and molar mass (M).
Figure 6.9 “Molecular Speed
Distribution of Noble
Gases.” (Source: Adapted
from MaxwellBoltzmann-
en.svg by Pdbailey/Public
Domain.)
This form of the equation demonstrates that the rms speed

of gas molecules is also related to the molar mass of the
substance. Comparing two gases of different molar mass at
the same temperature, we see that despite having the
same average kinetic energy, the gas with the smaller
molar mass will have a higher rms speed.
PROBLEM
Ca lcula te the rm s s p eed
of nitrogen molecules at
25ºC.
SOLUTION
APPLYING
KINETIC The ideal gas law can be rearranged to
MOLECULAR
solve for pressure and estimate the change
in pressure:
T H E O R Y TO
THE G A S L A W S
What will happen to the pressure Volume is located in the denominator of
of a system where the volume is the equation, and it is being decreased.
decreased at constant This means the rest of the equation is
temperature? being divided by a smaller number, so
that should make the pressure larger.
The kinetic molecular theory can be used. Since the
temperature is remaining constant, the average kinetic
energy and the rms speed remain the same as well. The
volume of the container has decreased, which means that
the gas molecules have to move a shorter distance to have
a collision. There will therefore be more collisions per
second, causing an increase in pressure.
APPLYING
KINETIC THE IDEAL GAS LAW CAN BE REARRANGED TO
MOLECULAR SOLVE FOR PRESSURE AND ESTIMATE THE
CHANGE IN PRESSURE.
T H E O R Y TO
THE G A S L A W S
TEMPERATURE IS LOCATED IN THE NUMERATOR;
What will happen to the
THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
pressure of a system where the TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE. THEREFORE AN
temperature is increased and INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE SHOULD CAUSE AN
the volume remains constant? INCREASE IN PRESSURE.
The kinetic molecular theory c a n be used. Temperature is
increased, s o the average kinetic energy a n d the rm s s p e e d
should also increase. This m e a n s that the g a s molecules will
hit the container walls more frequently a n d with greater
force b e c a u s e they are all mo v i ng faster. This should
increase the pressure.
T H A N K YOU!
Kinetic molecular theory of gases – Introductory
chemistry – 1st Canadian edition. (2014, September 16).
BCcampus Open Publishing – Open Textbooks
Adapted and Created by BC Faculty.

Kinetic Molecular Theory Group 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kinetic Molecular Theory Group 3

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kinetic Molecular Theory Group 3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GENERAL

? tha t is, there is no net loss

THESE There are no interactive forces

distance between the particles.

Overall, the molecules in a sample of a gas share an average kinetic

When analyzing a diagram of the distribution of

Since average kinetic energy is related both to the

This demonstrates that the rms speed is related to the

This form of the equation demonstrates that the rms speed

You might also like