
Kinetic Theory of Gas
Kinetic theory of gasses is a theory based on a simplified molecular or particle description of gas and from this many gross properties of the gas can be derived. It is a theory that derived that the particles in a gas move freely and rapidly along straight lines but often collide, resulting in variations in their velocity and direction. Pressure is also interpreted as arising from the impacts of these particles on the walls of a container. The greater the density of a gas, the more will be the number of collisions between molecules and the surface and the greater the pressure exerted.
When the volume of a certain mass of gas is reduced, or when more gas is pumped into a vessel then the pressure is increased. The speed of the molecules increases by the increment of the temperature of the gas, causing an increment in both the number and the momentum imparted by each collision. This leads to the increment in pressure of a gas with an increase in temperature. The kinetic theory of gasses explains the macroscopic properties of gasses and the formula derived from it as well, the properties are volume, pressure, and temperature.
PV = nRT
Kinetic Theory of Gas - Assumptions
The Kinetic theory of gas has various assumptions like:
The kinetic gas is composed of a large number of identical molecules that are moving in random directions, separated by distances that are large compared with their size.
The molecules undergo perfectly elastic collisions or no energy loss with one another and with the walls of the container but they do not interact.
The transfer of this kinetic energy between molecules is heat. These theories bring the properties of gasses within the particular range of mathematical treatment.
The separation between all the molecules is comparatively greater than the size of the molecules.
All the molecules in a kinetic gas sample obey the laws of motion.
If a kinetic gas sample is left for a sufficient time, it eventually comes to a steady state. Therefore the density of molecules and the distribution of molecules are independent of position, distance, and time.
Postulates of The Kinetic Theory of Gas
The kinetic theory of gas consists of various postulates like :
The particles in a kinetic gas are in constant or random motion.
The combined volume of all the particles is negligible.
The particles simply no forces on one another.
Any type of collision between the particles is completely elastic.
The kinetic energy of the particles is directly proportional to the temperature in kelvins.
Kinetic Theory of Gases
Gases are an exciting subject to study, which can be easily understood by taking into consideration the action of individual molecules. You can also understand more about gases by taking into consideration the gases’ large-scale action. However, to further study how molecules act in different situations, you need a theoretical model. This is where the Kinetic theory of gases comes into the picture. Now, the most obvious question is, what do you mean by the kinetic theory of gases? It is the conceptual model that assumes that the size of molecules is very small when compared to the distance between these molecules. These molecules are constantly moving, and since the distance between them is less, they collide with each other.
Basics of Kinetic Theory of Gases
As per the basics of the kinetic theory of gases, the molecules move in random motion and keep on colliding with each other as well as the walls of the container they are kept in. Since these collisions remain elastic in nature, both the total momentum as well as total kinetic energy are conserved easily. Thus, you will find that neither the energy is preserved nor lost during this collision of molecules.
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(In the image above, you can see the kinetic theory of gases formula. The different aspects of the formula are P = pressure of gas; V = volume of gas; T = temperature; N = moles of gas which are present; and R is the constant, which is known as the universal gas constant)
Here: PV = nRT;
Where:
P is the pressure of gas;
V is the volume of the gas;
T is the temperature which is measured in kelvin;
N is regarded as the moles of gas that are present;
R is the constant, which is known as the universal gas constant.
Postulates of Kinetic Theory of Gases
The theory related to gases based on molecular motion is known as the kinetic theory of gases. However, like any other theory, there are some postulates of the kinetic theory of gases as well. Let us read in detail about these postulates of the kinetic theory of gases:
During the collision process, the molecules cannot lose any kind of kinetic energy. Thus, it can be easily said that these said collisions are perfectly elastic.
You can find ample space between these moving molecules, which leads to continuous motion between them.
The molecules present in a gas are actually very minute and distanced from each other. This implies that the volume occupied by a particular gas is just empty space and nothing else.
The collision occurs between molecules among each and with the walls of the container they are kept in. This collision is responsible for the gas pressure.
Assumptions of Kinetic Theory of Gases
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(The image represents the assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases. There are 5 main assumptions as mentioned below)
These gas molecules move in constant random motion, and most of these molecules are moving in one single direction than other molecules.
During the process, these said molecules present in the gas are not exerting any kind of attractive or repulsive forces on each other. During the collision, they do exert pressure on each other. However, when they are not colliding, they keep on moving in straight lines.
The division between these molecules is much more in size than the molecules’ actual size.
All kinds of collisions occurring between these molecules, as well as between the molecules and the wall, are elastic in nature.
All these molecules present in the said gas diligently obey Newton's law of motion.
These assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases make sure that the gas characteristics lie within the range of mathematical calculations.
More About Kinetic Theory of Gases
It was in the 19th century that scientists, by the name of James Clark Maxwell, Clausius, and Rudolph, worked upon the development of the kinetic theory of gases to explain the concerned gasses’ behavior. As per the theory, gas is considered to be a complete collection of minute, hard spheres that can interact with each other as well as the container in which the gas is contained.
As per the kinetic theory, the pressure exerted by the gas is the result of collisions taking place between the gas molecules as well as the container walls where they exist. Further, the temperature of the gas is in relation to the gas molecules’ average moving speed. However, remember that at a constant temperature, the molecules’ speed actually remains constant. Now, if anyone reduces the container’s volume, the molecules will enjoy less distance for travelling, and thus, they would be hitting the container’s wall causing higher pressure. On the other hand, if the container’s volume increases, the molecules will hit the walls of the container with less speed, resulting in lower pressure.















FAQs on Kinetic Theory of Gases Assumptions
1. What do you Understand by Three Main Components of the Kinetic Theory Of Gases?
The Kinetic Theory of Gases actually makes an attempt to explain the complete properties of gases. These properties are based on the pressure, volume, temperature, etc of the gases, and these are calculated by considering the molecular composition of the gas as well as the motion of the gases. The kinetic theory is also known by the name of collision theory or kinetic-molecular theory. The three main components of the kinetic theory of gases are:
The molecules move in a linear as well as constant motion;
During the collision of the molecules, no energy is lost or gained;
The space is taken up by the molecules present in gas in relation to the container they are kept in almost negligible.
2. How can you Explain the Kinetic Theory of Gases?
The kinetic theory of gases explains the fact of how the molecules present in a gas move around freely as well as rapidly along the straight lines. However, while moving, these molecules actually collide causing many variations both in thor directions and velocity. As per the theory, the pressure can be interpreted as coming from the influence of these particles on the container’s walls.
3. What are the components of the kinetic theory of gas?
There are mainly three main components of the kinetic theory of gas are:
When kinetic molecules collide with each other, no energy is gained or lost.
The space covered by the kinetic molecules of gas in a container is very minor.
Kinetic molecules always have linear motion.
4. What is the kinetic theory of gas?
Kinetic theory of gas explains the behavior of gasses based on the concept that gas consists of rapidly moving atoms or molecules. This theory is possible as the interatomic forces between the molecules are neglected in gas. The kinetic theory of gas defines gas as the collection of tiny, hard spheres that interact with each other and with the surface of the wall. The spheres will represent the gas molecules, and these molecules behave according to the laws of motion developed by Newton in the 17th century. These laws will describe how molecules influence gas characteristics such as temperature and pressure.
5. What are the Assumptions of the Kinetic Theory of Gasses?
There are various assumptions for the kinetic theory of gasses like:
All gasses in this theory are made up of molecules that are constantly and persistently moving in random directions.
The separation between the kinetic molecules is much wider than the size of the molecules.
When a kinetic gas sample is kept in a container, the kinetic molecules of the sample do not imply any force on the walls of the container during the collision.
The time duration of a collision between two kinetic molecules, and between a molecule and the wall is considered to be very small.
6. What are the Postulates of Kinetic Theory of Gasses?
There are various postulates for the kinetic theory of gasses like:
The space-volume to kinetic molecules ratio is negligible.
At normal temperature and pressure, there is no force of attraction between the kinetic molecules. So the force of attraction between the kinetic molecules builds when the temperature decreases and the pressure increases.
There is generally a large space between the molecules resulting in continuous motion.
The free movement of kinetic molecules results in a collision that is perfectly elastic.
7. Where can students find useful information regarding the Kinetic theory of gas?
Students can find everything they need on the Vedantu app or website. These study materials are created by professionals and the content is accurate and reliable. These study materials are completely free and there is no cost at all. All students just have to sign in and then they will be able to download what you want in pdf format. Students can find information regarding the Kinetic theory of gas, its assumptions, its postulates and a whole lot more!