INTERACTION BETWEEN PARTICLES

KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the postulates of the Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter. (C10.A.1)
2. Demonstrate how KMT explains the observed behavior of gases.​ (C10.A.2)

Time Allotted: 1 min Actual Time: __________

In this module, you will be introduced to another very important concept in physics and in
chemistry: The KMT or the Kinetic Molecular Theory.

Have you wondered why gas expands when heat is being added and is held at constant
pressure? Or if the gas is being squeezed at a constant temperature, how does the
pressure increase? This lesson will help you understand further about the gas properties.

According to the KMT, matter is made up of very small particles called ​atoms​, ​molecules
or ions​. The smallest particle of an element having the same chemical properties is
termed ​atom;​ ​molecule ​is the smallest particle of a compound and an ​ion is an electrically
charged atom due to gain or loss of one or more electrons. These particles are in constant
motion, and they tend to move in several ways. They vibrate, move and rotate in straight
rows as they collide with each other as shown in Figure 1 below:

Figure 1. ​Types​ ​of motion of particles in matter.

(Image from: Hewitt, Paul G. (2007). ​Conceptual Integrated Science 1st​ ​ Ed.​ City College of San Francisco,
United States of America. Pearson Education, Inc.)

Kinetic ​energy is said to be the energy that a substance has because of its movement.
The energy that molecules and atoms have is very much related to their ​position ​and
motion as well. They have ​translational kinetic energy due to their translational
​ nd ​rotational kinetic energy​. In addition, as the
(straight-line) motion as well as ​vibrational a

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particles come closer to each other, it gains potential energy from the attractions or
repulsions between them. The sum of all forms of energy in a specific substance is termed
thermal energy (heat energy) and that is usually referred to us by physicists as ​internal
energy​ of a substance.

Time Allotted: 2 min Actual Time: __________

THE KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY OF GASES

The KMT of Matter was developed for about 100 years, when ​Rudolf Clausius
(1822–1888) brought out a sufficient and complete form of his theory

The KMT explains forces between molecules and energy that they possess. This theory
can be summarized into three (3) theories of matter.

1. Small particles (atoms, ions or molecules) made up matter.

2. The volume of the molecules depends on the space between them and not the
space in which it is occupied by the molecules.

3. The molecules are said to be in constant random motion. For each of the three
states of matter (gases, liquids or solids), the motion is different. They collide with
each other and their container walls. There is no substantial drop of energy when
the molecules collide with one another, or with the container’s walls. The
temperature used to define when the motion is very slow to none, is absolute zero
(0 Kelvin or -273.15 O​​ C).

The ​KMT defines both temperature and pressure at the molecular level. Molecules’
collisions with the walls of the container is due to the gas pressures as shown in Figure
1 below:

Figure 1. ​The molecular origin of gas pressure.

(Image from: Brown, Theodore L. & Lemay, Eugene H. (2012). ​Chemistry: The Central Science 12​th​ Ed.
Pearson Prentice Hall)

The ​term used to explain the hotness or coldness of a substance is called ​temperature​.
It is the total kinetic energy of the particles in the object. Molecules of the water at 0º C
will have lesser kinetic energy as compared to molecules of water at 100º C.

The gas’ ​absolute temperature is a measure of its molecules' average kinetic energy.
There will be the same average kinetic energy for their molecules if they have the same
temperature for the two gases​. When you double the gas’ absolute temperature, the

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molecules' average kinetic energy will also be doubled. Thus, greater temperature would
correspond to greater kinetic energy as well.

KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY: APPLICATION OF GAS LAWS

As expressed by the different gas laws, the empirical findings of properties of gas are
interpreted in accordance to the principle of kinetic molecular. This argument is
demonstrated by the following examples:

1. At a constant temperature, a volume rise causes pressure to drop.

● A constant temperature ensures that gas molecules' average KE remains
unaltered. This implies that the molecular speed remains unaltered as
well. The molecules must travel a greater distance between their
collisions when the volume is increased. There are also less collisions
with respect to the container walls per unit of time, which ensures that the
pressure decreases.

2. At constant volume, a temperature increase causes pressure to rise.

● A rise in temperature ensures also a rise in the molecules' average KE
and in root-mean square speed ​µ​rms.​ Although there is no volume
change, the rise in temperature would cause more collisions per unit time
with respect to the walls since all the molecules are in rapid motion. In
addition, it increases the momentum of each collision (as the particles hit
the walls more and more). A higher number of strong collisions denotes
that the pressure rises and this rise is explained by the theory.

NON-GRADED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Answer the following questions below by filling in the empty boxes. Some
properties of gases are given below:

Property of a Gas KMT Explanation Description Example

1. Gases have no
definite volume and
shape.

2. Gases can easily

be compressed.

3. Gases have low

densities compared to
solids and liquids.

Time Allotted: 15 min Actual Time: __________

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GRADED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Directions. Read each question carefully before answering. Choose only the letter
of your choice.

1. Which of the following statements below is inconsistent with the KMT of

gases?

A) The individual molecules of the gas are relatively far from each other.
B) At a constant temperature, the average KEs of different gases are the
same.
C) Most of the gases’ observed behavior at normal pressures and
temperatures is clarified by the theory.
D) At ordinary pressures and temperatures relative to the volume filled by gas,
the volume of the molecules of the gas is very small.

2. The particle’s average kinetic energy in a substance is ___________.

A) Increased as the temperature of the substance decreases.

B) Increased as the substance's temperature increases.
C) Unaffected by changes in the substance’s temperature.
D) Equivalent to the total thermal energy being absorbed by the object.

3. Rudolf Clausius proposed that heat is a form of _______ in which by changing

the movement of molecules, affects the temperature of matter.

A) energy
B) gas
C) molecular mass
D) velocity

4. When gases are at ________ or at ___________, kinetic molecular theory is

most accurate and useful.

A) high pressure; low temperature

B) low pressure; high temperature
C) high pressure; high temperature
D) low pressure; low temperature

5. Several assumptions by the kinetic molecular theory about ____________.

A) the size and weight of molecules

B) the size and motion of molecules
C) the motion and weight of molecules
D) the motion and energy of molecules

Time Allotted: 10 min Actual Time: __________

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In Summary
● The KMT explains the energy and the forces between the molecules.
● Kinetic​ ​energy​ is said to be the energy that a substance has because of its
movement.
● The​ ​term used to explicate the coldness or hotness of a substance is called
temperature​.
● At constant temperature, a volume rise causes pressure to drop.
● At constant volume, a temperature increase causes pressure to rise.

Time Allotted: 2 min Actual Time: __________

If you want to know more about Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter, you can check the link
below for an interactive virtual simulation on Gas Properties:
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/gas-properties

Black Hills State University (2006). Earth and Physical Science for Elementary Teachers:
Middle School Science Content Knowledge​ ​Praxis Review Sheet: Kinetic Theories
and States of Matter​. Retrieved from:
https://www.sdbor.edu/educators/praxis/Documents/bhsu/documents/ms_sc3.pdf

Brown, Theodore L. & Lemay, Eugene H. (2012​). Chemistry: The Central Science​ ​12th
Ed.​ Pearson Prentice Hall

Hewitt, Paul G. (2007). ​Conceptual Integrated Science 1st​ ​ Ed​. City College of San
Francisco, United States of America. Pearson Education.

Tarbuck, E. J. & Lutgens, F. K. (2006). ​Earth Science​. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Prentice Hall. ISBN Number 0-13-149751-0.

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