Preview - Kinetic Molecular Theory

Kinetic Molecular Theory: The Rules

Kinetic Molecular Theory is a set of rules used to describe gas particle movement. Scientists assume that all gas particles behave in this manner unless stated otherwise. These rules are as follows:

  • Gas particles are in constant random motion.
  • Gas particles are so small that they may be considered to have no volume relative to the empty space that surrounds them.
  • Collisions with the walls of the container are perfectly elastic. An elastic collision is one in which there is no overall loss of kinetic energy. This means that gas particles do not lose kinetic energy after they collide with the walls of their container.
  • Collisions between particles are also perfectly elastic. Kinetic energy may be transferred from one particle to another during an elastic collision, but there is no change in the total energy of the colliding particles.

You will model each of these rules in the questions below.

Questions

Please answer the questions below.

Draw a model to represent the first rule above: gas particles are in constant random motion. A template with gas particles has been provided for you. Show their motion using arrows.

Note: Draw your sketch in the sketchpad below

Draw a model to represent the second rule of Kinetic Molecular Theory: gas particles are so small that they may be considered to have no volume relative to the empty space that surrounds them.

There is no predrawn template provided for this question.

Note: Draw your sketch in the sketchpad below

Draw a model to represent the third rule of Kinetic Molecular Theory: collisions with the walls of the container are perfectly elastic. An elastic collision is one in which there is no overall loss of kinetic energy.

A template with the before scenario has been provided, you need to draw the after portion of the model.

Note: Draw your sketch in the sketchpad below

Draw a model to represent the fourth rule of Kinetic Molecular Theory: collisions between particles are also perfectly elastic. Remember that kinetic energy may be transferred from one particle to another during an elastic collision, but there is no change in the total energy of the colliding particles.

A template with the before scenario has been provided, you need to draw the after portion of the model.

Note: Draw your sketch in the sketchpad below

Notes

These notes will appear on every page in this lesson so feel free to put anything here you'd like to keep track of.