1.1.6

Kinetic Theory - Effects of Temperature & Pressure

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Kinetic Theory: Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Gas Volume

Gas particles move fast and are influenced by temperature and pressure. Kinetic theory explains this behaviour.

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Kinetic particle theory basics

  • The kinetic theory explains gas behaviour by particle motion.
    • Gas particles move fast in all directions.
    • Higher temperature means particles move faster.
    • Particles collide with container walls, creating pressure.
  • Gas volume depends on particle movement and collisions.
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Effect of temperature on gas volume

  • Heating gas increases particle speed.
    • Faster particles hit container walls harder and more often.
    • Increased speed pushes walls outwards if flexible.
  • Thus, gas volume increases with temperature at constant pressure.
    • This explains why hot air balloons rise.
  • Charles' law (1787) describes this volume-temperature link.
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Effect of pressure on gas volume

  • Pressure is the force from particle collisions per area.
    • Increasing pressure pushes particles closer.
    • Particles collide more often but have less space to move.
  • This reduces gas volume at constant temperature.
  • Boyle's law (1662) relates pressure and volume in gases.
    • Compressing gases in syringes shows this effect.
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Real gases and limits of theory

  • Kinetic theory assumes no particle attraction.
  • High pressure or low temperature causes particles to stick together.
  • Gas behaves less ideally near condensation points.
    • Gas volume changes are not perfect in real life.
    • However, kinetic theory helps predict general trends.
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Summary and key points

  • Temperature rise increases gas particle speed, raising volume.
  • Pressure increase squeezes particles, reducing volume.
  • Charles' and Boyle's laws quantify these relationships.
  • Kinetic theory links particle motion to gas volume changes.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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