Topic 5 Kinetic theory and gases

Unit P3: Applications of physics

Topic 5
We Are Learning To
Kinetic theory and gases

5.1 Use a simple kinetic theory model to describe movement of

particles in the three states of matter

5.2 Explain the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its

particles

5.3 Describe the effect of changing the temperature of a gas on

the speed of its particles
States of matter –
a particle view

solid liquid gas

Close packed in a Particles (molecules) Very far apart and
regular pattern, slightly further apart occupy any available
occupy least space than in solids space
Vibrate about fixed Particles slide past one Move randomly at
positions another high speed
Held by very strong Attractive forces Weak forces of
attractive forces between particles attraction between
(inter-molecular forces) particles
 Moving particles
gas condenses liquid freezes
cooling cooling

heating heating
Gas liquid boils Liquid solid melts Solid
• If a gas is cooled down its molecules have less energy and
move more slowly. If it is heated up they have more energy
and move faster.
• This idea about moving molecules is called the kinetic theory.
• Further cooling causes condensation into a liquid and eventually
freezing into a solid.
• Heating a solid causes it to melt and a liquid to evaporate.
 Pressure

Pressure = Force
Area
 In this topic we will be investigating how the volume, temperature
and pressure of a gas are related to each other.

Volume:
how much space a gas occupies

Temperature:
a measure of how hot or cold
the gas is

Pressure:
The force exerted per unit area. The pressure of a gas is caused by its
particles hitting the walls of its container. The more frequent the
collisions and the harder they hit the greater the pressure.
 Unit P3: Applications of physics
Topic 5
We Are Learning To
Kinetic theory and gases

5.9 Investigate the volume and pressure relationship for a gas

5.10 Use the relationship:

V1P1 = V2P2
to calculate volume or pressure for gases of fixed mass at
constant temperature
Boyle’s law
For a fixed mass of gas, the pressure is inversely proportional to
the volume if the temperature remains constant.

V1P1 = V2 P2
Example:
A diver uses an air bag to lift an antique cannon from the seabed. At the
seabed, the volume of the air in the bag is 0.5 m3. The pressure at the
seabed is 300 kPa, the pressure at the surface is 100 kPa. The
temperature does not change. What is the volume of the air bag when
it reaches the surface of the sea?
V 1 P1 = V 2P 2
0.5 x 300 = V2 x 100
150 = V2 x 100
150 = V2
100
V2 =1.5m3
At the surface, the volume of the air bag is 1.5 m 3
 Unit P3: Applications of physics
Topic 5
We Are Learning To
Kinetic theory and gases

5.7 Investigate the temperature and volume relationship for a gas

5.4 Describe the term absolute zero, -273°C, in terms of the lack
of movement of particles
 Investigating the temperature
and volume relationship of a gas

heat
Absolute zero
The temperature -2730C is called absolute zero.
This is the temperature at which the pressure of a
gas would be zero and the particles would not
move.
 Unit P3: Applications of physics
Topic 5
We Are Learning To
Kinetic theory and gases

5.5 Convert between the Kelvin and Celsius scales

5.6 Recall that the average kinetic energy of the particles in a gas
is directly proportional to the Kelvin temperature of the gas
Convert between the Kelvin and Celsius scales
Convert 27 0C, -3 0C, 150 0C
and -90 0C to Kelvin
27 0C 300 K
-3 0C 270 K
150 0C 423 K
-90 0C 183 K

Convert 373 K, 200 K

and 1000 K to Celsius
373 K 100 0C
200 K -73 0C
1000 K 727 0C
Kinetic energy
of the particles
in a gas

If you double the kelvin temperature, the average

kinetic energy of the particles in a gas also doubles.

Directly proportional!
 Unit P3: Applications of physics
Topic 5
We Are Learning To
Kinetic theory and gases

5.8 Use the relationship:

V1 = V2T1/T2
to calculate volume for gases of fixed mass at constant pressure
(rearranging not required)
Charles’ law
Charles’ law states that if a given quantity of gas is held
at a constant pressure, its volume is directly proportional
to the absolute temperature (Kelvin).

V 1 = V 2T 1
T2

NOTE:
Temperature must be in Kelvin (K)
Question
A hot air balloon contains 2000 m3 of air at
1000C. What volume of air at 50C is needed to fill
the balloon?

V1 = V2T1
1000C 373K
50C 278K
T2
V1 = 2000 x 278
373

1491 m3
 Unit P3: Applications of physics
Topic 5
We Are Learning To
Kinetic theory and gases

5.11 Use the equation:

initial pressure (pascal, Pa) x initial volume (metre3, m3) /
initial temperature (kelvin, K) = final pressure (pascal, Pa) x
final volume (metre3, m3) / final temperature (kelvin, K)
P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2

5.12 Apply an understanding of the equation in 5.11 to the use of

bottled gases in medicine, including the need for a pressure above
atmospheric and the calculation of the volume of gas released at
 Combined gas law

P1V1 = P2V2
T1 T2
P1 initial pressure (pascal, Pa)
V1 initial volume (metre3, m3)
T1 initial temperature (kelvin, K)
P2 final pressure (pascal, Pa)
V2 final volume (metre3, m3)
T2 final temperature (kelvin, K)

Note:
When using this equation, temperature must be in Kelvin!
Example:
A diver uses an air bag to lift an antique cannon from the seabed. At the
seabed, the volume of the air in the bag is 0.5 m3. The pressure at the
seabed is 300 kPa, the pressure at the surface is 100 kPa. The
temperature does not change. What is the volume of the air bag when
it reaches the surface of the sea?
P1 = 300 kPa P1 V 1 = P 2V 2
P2 = 100 kPa
V1 = 0.5 m3 T1 T2
V2 = ?
T1 = T2 300 x 0.5 = 100 x V2

150 = 100 x V2
150 = V2
100
V2 = 1.5 m3 (At the surface, the volume of the air bag is 1.5 m3.)
Air particles are moving (they have kinetic energy)

.. they are colliding with walls of the balloon…

… exerting a force

0C 273 K

-273 C 0K 290
P1V 1 = P 2 V 2
T1 T2 101 x 2.10 = 102 x 2.20
290 T2

306.8
Gases take up large
volumes at atmospheric
pressure and so they need
to be compressed and
stored a higher pressures.
Gases take up large volumes at atmospheric pressure
and so they need to be compressed and stored a higher
pressures.
The pressure of Helium gas in a canister is 2.0 x 106 Pa and its
volume is 12 litres. Once the gas is released at normal air
pressure (1 x 105 Pa) how much volume will it occupy? Assume
the temperature of the gas doesn’t change.
P1V 1 = P 2 V 2
T1 T2
P1V1 = P2V2

2 x 106 x 12 = 1 x 105 x V2
2.4 x 107 = 1 x 105 x V2
2.4 x 107 = V2
1 x 105
240 litres