12.4 Kinetic Theory

Question 1

What is the kinetic theory?

Answer 1

Model of the thermodynamic behaviour of gases. It follows many assumptions. This theory explains the properties of gases including volume, pressure, temperature in terms of their molecular composition and activity.

Question 2

What are the assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.

Answer 2

• large number of molecules makes up a gas
• those molecules are in continuous rapid random motion
• collisions between molecules with other molecules or with the the walls of the container are perfectly elastic, otherwise motion wouldn’t be continuous.
• the volume occupied by the molecules is negligible compared to volume of the container, hence a gas can be greatly compressed
• intermolecular forces are negligible except during collisions, hence their internal energy is only the kinetic energy and not the potential energy
• duration of collisions is negligible compared to time spent in between collisions

Question 3

What does this theory regard?

Answer 3

The nature of gases

Question 4

Would an ideal gas follow the kinetic theory?

Answer 4

Yes, it needs to fulfil it

Question 5

Do ideal gases have potential energy?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

What is an ideal gas?

Answer 6

a hypothetical gas which obeys the gas laws, equations of state of ideal gas and the kinetic theory assumptions