The Properties of Gases

Kinetic Molecular Theory

 Characteristics of Gases
Gases fill their containers uniformly.
–random motion, no attraction
–undefined shape and volume
 Characteristics of Gases
Gases are fluids.
–they are able to flow
 Characteristics of Gases
Gases have very low densities.
– most of the volume occupied by a
gas is empty space
 Characteristics of Gases
Gases are highly compressible.
– most of the volume occupied by a
gas is empty space
 Characteristics of Gases
Gases undergo diffusion & effusion.
– random motion
• Diffusion – describes the movement of one
material through another
• Effusion – gas escapes through a tiny opening
 Characteristics of Gases
Gases exert pressure.
– in all directions on the walls of
their containers
 Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases
Ludwig Boltzmann, Rudolf Clausius, and James Maxwell

• The word kinetic refers to motion.

• Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its

motion.

• Kinetic Molecular Theory makes assumptions about:

– Size
– Motion
– Energy of gas particles
 Kinetic Molecular Theory
Particles in an ideal gas…
– have no volume.
– have elastic collisions.
– are in constant, random, straight-line motion.
– don’t attract or repel each other.
– have an average KE directly related to Kelvin temperature.
 Real Gases
• Particles in a REAL gas…
– have their own volume
– attract each other

• Gas behavior is most ideal…

– at low pressures
– at high temperatures
 Properties of Gases
Gas properties can be modeled using math.
Model depends on:

V = volume of the gas (liters, L)

T = temperature (Kelvin, K)
P = pressure (atmospheres, atm)
n = amount (moles, mol)
 Pressure
Pressure is the force per unit area
Gas pressure is the force exerted by a gas per
unit surface area of an object.

Atmospheric pressure (air pressure) results

from the collisions of air molecules with objects.
 Measuring Pressure
• Barometer – an
instrument used to
measure
atmospheric
pressure
• Manometer – an
instrument used to
measure gas
pressure in a closed
container
 Units of Pressure and STP
• Average atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1 atm

• 1atm = 760 torr = 760 mmHg = 101.3 kPa

• STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure)

– 1 atm and 0oC or 1 atm and 273 K
 Temperature
• Measured using a thermometer
• The average kinetic energy of an
object
• The greater the atomic and
molecular motion, the greater the
temperature is of a substance.
 Temperature
• If all atomic and molecular motion
would stop, the temperature would
be at absolute zero (lowest
attainable temperature)
o
0 K or -273 C
• To convert Celsius to Kelvin
0
K = C + 273