Question

State the five postulates of the kinetic-molecular theory.

Short answer

1. Gases consist of large numbers of tiny particles that are far apart relative to their size. 2. Collisions between gas particles and between particles and the container walls are perfectly elastic (no loss of kinetic energy). 3. The gas particles are in constant, random, and rapid motion. They therefore possess kinetic energy. 4. There are no forces of attraction or repulsion between gas particles. 5. The average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas (in Kelvin), and the same for all gases at a given temperature.

Step-by-step solution

Postulate 1

The first postulate is: Gases consist of large numbers of tiny particles that are far apart relative to their size.

Postulate 2

The second postulate: Collisions between gas particles and between particles and the container walls are perfectly elastic (no loss of kinetic energy).

Postulate 3

The third postulate is: The gas particles are in constant, random, and rapid motion. They therefore possess kinetic energy.

Postulate 4

The fourth postulate tells: There are no forces of attraction or repulsion between gas particles.

Postulate 5

The fifth postulate is: The average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas (in Kelvin), and the same for all gases at a given temperature.

Key concepts

Gas Particles

In the kinetic-molecular theory, gas particles are a key aspect. These gas particles are incredibly tiny and exist in large numbers. Despite their multitude, they are spaced far apart relative to their size. This spacing ensures that the individual particles occupy less space in comparison to the entire volume of the gas they form.
Such a configuration implies that gases appear to be compressible and have low densities compared to liquids and solids. Because they are so small, they typically do not exhibit the forces of attraction or repulsion that larger molecules may experience.
This simplistic structure of gas particles helps explain why gases do not have a fixed shape or volume. They easily assume the shape and volume of their containers without any complex interactions between the particles themselves.

Kinetic Energy

The kinetic energy of gas particles is an essential component of the kinetic-molecular theory. Kinetic energy refers to the energy possessed by an object due to its motion. Since gas particles are in constant motion, they inherently possess kinetic energy.
The movement contributes to the overall pressure that gases exert on the walls of the container they are in. When gas particles collide with container walls, they transfer energy, leading to what we experience as gas pressure. Furthermore, these collisions are perfectly elastic, meaning that no kinetic energy is lost during such interactions. This allows gases to ideally maintain their energy over time.

Temperature Relation

Temperature and kinetic energy are intricately connected within the framework of the kinetic-molecular theory. Specifically, the average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the gas's temperature when expressed in Kelvin.
What this means is, if you increase the temperature of a gas, the particles move faster, leading to an increase in their kinetic energy. Conversely, cooling the gas reduces particle motion, thus decreasing the kinetic energy. This relationship helps us understand phenomena such as why heating a balloon makes it expand. As the particles gain energy and move more rapidly, they strike the balloon walls with greater force and frequency, causing it to inflate.

Collision Behavior

Gas particles exhibit distinct collision behavior which is central to the kinetic-molecular theory. The collisions between particles themselves or with container walls are perfectly elastic. Elastic collisions mean that when particles collide, there is no net loss in kinetic energy.
This property ensures that gas pressure remains consistent over time, as the particles continue to move energetically and maintain the same speed after collisions. Because these interactions are elastic, gases can spread out and fill containers uniformly, exhibiting consistency in behavior regardless of the shape or size of the container.

Particle Motion

In the kinetic-molecular theory, the motion of gas particles is characterized as constant, rapid, and random. This means that the particles are continuously moving in various directions at a fast pace. Their trajectories are random, so each particle does not follow a predictable path over time.
This random motion is why gases can quickly mix and spread out in a space. The rapid, random movement of gas particles is also the reason gases are easily compressible and can flow, allowing them to fill any given volume uniformly. Understanding this random and rapid motion helps us explain diffusion and effusion processes, where gases spread out and move through openings, respectively.