Thermal Physics Flashcards
Why is the kinetic model of matter useful?
It allows us to explain behaviour (eg state changes) and macroscopic properties (eg specific heat capacity) in terms of the behaviour of molecules.
What two assumptions is the kinetic model based upon?
Matter is made up of tiny particles
These particles tend to move about
Describe the kinetic models of solids, liquids and gases
Solids- particles closely spaced, ordered, little motion
Liquids- particles more greatly spaced, somewhat disordered, some motion
Gases- particles far apart, random, free fast motion
What is Brownian motion?
Smoke particles observed under a particles move with random rapid motion, due to their collision with air molecules, suggesting that these much smaller molecules (oxygen and nitrogen) must be moving with haphazard and much more rapid motion.
