Kinetic Model of Matter

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)
5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)
TOPIC EIGHT
KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER
SUBJECT CONTENT
- States of Matter
- Brownian Motion
- Kinetic Model
LEARNING OUTCOMES
a) Compare the properties of solids, liquids and gases
b) Describe qualitatively the molecular structure of solids, liquids and
gases, relating their properties to the forces and distances between
molecules and to the motion of the molecules
c) Infer from Brownian motion experiments the evidence for the
movement of molecules
d) Describe the relationship between the motion of molecules and
temperature
e) Explain the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules
f) Recall and explain the following relationships using the kinetic model
(stating of the corresponding gas laws is not required):
i.
A change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant
volume is caused by a change in temperature of the gas
ii.
A change in volume occupied by a fixed mass of gas at
constant pressure is caused by a change in temperature of
the gas
iii.
A change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant
temperature is caused by a change in volume of the gas
g) Use the relationships in (f) in related situations and to solve
problems (a qualitative treatment would suffice)

TOPIC EIGHT: KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER
A
Brownian Motion
The Brownian Motion is the continuous haphazard motion of particles, such as, that of smoke particles in a smoke cell.
The random motion of smoke particles is due to unbalanced forces acting on

smoke particles when air molecules collide.
From the observations made in the Brownian Motion, the kinetic model of matter was proposed. A few inferences were made:
Observation
Diagram
Inference(s)
Random motion of smoke particles
At any instant, different air molecules are moving with different
velocities.
Diagram of microscope
Observations through microscope
Irregular motion of a smoke particle
Air molecules collide with each other

Separation between air molecules is large and not constant.
At higher temperatures, the motion of the smoke particles is observed to be more vigorous. This leads to the conclusion that the air molecules
move faster at a higher temperature.
C
Kinetic Model/ The States of Matter
Source: Effective Guide to O Level Physics 2 nd Edition, Pearson Longman South Asia Pte Ltd, 2007, Poh Liong Yong

Everything around us is made of matter. Anything that has volume and mass is matter.
There are three states of matter: Solid, Liquid and Gas.
The characteristics of each of these 3 states can be explained by the kinetic model of matter.
The kinetic model of matter states that:
Matter is made up of a large number of particles such as atoms and molecules
The particles are in constant motion
The particles attract and repel each other
The particles have kinetic and potential energy
- The table shows the various aspects of solids, liquids and gases from the kinetic model perspective.
Solid
Liquid
Diagram
Structure
Fixed Shape, Crystalline Structure

The well defined shape and smooth surface of a
crystal provides evidence.
Arrangement
Volume
Surface
Atoms are arranged close together in a regular

pattern
Highly uncompressible & unstretchable
This proves that strong repulsive & attractive
forces exist in the solid
Fixed
Has surfaces all round
Motion of
Particles
Atoms vibrate about their individual mean

positions
Malleability
Gas
Not Fixed (same as container)

This shows that the attractive forces between
liquid molecules are weaker as compared to the
solid molecules
Molecules are close together but not arranged in a
regular pattern
Not Compressible
Due to the repulsive force between molecules

This shows that the forces between gas molecules
are negligible.
Fixed
Has a definite surface at top (except liquid
droplets)
Molecules move about in a random manner

None
Molecules are far apart

Highly Compressible
Due to large separation between molecules
Molecules move randomly at high speeds colliding

elastically into each other and the walls of the
container

Force
between
Particles
Energy of
Particles
Action of
heat
Strong attractive and repulsive forces between

atoms
Weaker attractive and repulsive forces compared

to forces between atoms in a solid
Negligible, except during collisions
Atoms have kinetic energy and potential energy
Higher kinetic and potential energy
Zero potential energy and very high kinetic energy
Others
D
-
The kinetic energy of the particles

increases. The particles vibrate more
vigorously and the amplitude of vibration
increases, so the temperature increases
The potential energy of the particles
increases as the separation between
them increases.
When heated, molecules vibrate and

move about more vigorously. Thus, the
liquid expands but only slightly
Kinetic and Potential energies also
increase
Kinetic energy of gas molecules

increases, hence speed of gas molecules
increases
Higher density than liquids

Implies that liquid molecules are closer to each
other
Pressure of a Gas
The volume, pressure and temperature of a gas describe the physical conditions of a gas.
Changes in the condition of a gas can be explained using the kinetic model
The pressure of a gas is due to the elastic collisions of the gas molecules with the walls of the container
When a gas molecule collides with the wall of a container, a force is exerted on the wall.
The magnitude of this force increases if:
The speed of the molecule is greater
More molecules collides with the wall per unit time
F
The pressure on the wall is the normal force per unit area on it (P = A)
When a fixed mass of gas at constant volume is heated, both its temperature and pressure increase because:
The kinetic energy of gas molecules increases. Hence the speed of the gas molecules increase
The rate of collision of the gas molecules with the walls of the containers increase
The gas molecules knock harder on the walls
When a fixed mass of gas is heated at constant pressure, both its temperature and volume increases
As shown in Figure 2(a) below, the initial pressure on the piston due to the collision of the gas molecules equals the external pressure.

According to the kinetic model, when the temperature of the gas increases at constant pressure:
The kinetic energy of the gas molecules increases
The force on the piston due to the collisions of the air molecules increases
The piston is pushed out until the pressure on the piston equals the external pressure which is constant
Hence, the volume of the gas increases
When a fixed mass of gas is compressed at constant temperature, its pressure would increase
When the volume of the gas is reduced:

The area of the walls of the container decreases
The number of gas molecules per unit volume increases
The rate of collision of gas molecules with unit area of the walls of the container increases
Hence, the pressure increases
For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the volume of the gas is inversely proportional to that of the pressure of the gas:

1
V
WORKED EXAMPLE
A kinetic model of a gas is shown in the figure. The gas molecules are represented by marbles in a tray which is agitated on a
horizontal table.
a) Compare the size of the gas molecules with the distance between gas molecules
The size of the gas molecules is very small compared to the distance between them.
b) Mark with arrows to show the directions of motion of the gas molecules at a particular instant
c) Describe what happens to the gas molecules during the motion

The gas molecules collide with each other and with the walls of the container
d) To demonstrate the motion of the gas molecules at a higher temperature, the tray is agitated more vigorously. Describe the
change in the motion of the gas molecules
The gas molecules move faster and collide more frequently with greater force with the walls of the container
e) Hence explain the increase in pressure of a gas at constant volume when the temperature increases
The pressure increases because the speed of gas molecules increases, the collision of gas molecules with the walls is more frequent and the
contact area is lesser.

Kinetic Model of Matter

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kinetic Model of Matter

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kinetic Model of Matter

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

The random motion of smoke particles is due to unbalanced forces acting on

Observations through microscope

Irregular motion of a smoke particle

Air molecules collide with each other

Kinetic Model/ The States of Matter

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

Fixed Shape, Crystalline Structure

Atoms are arranged close together in a regular

Atoms vibrate about their individual mean

Not Fixed (same as container)

Not Fixed (same as container)

Not Fixed (same as container)

Molecules are far apart

Molecules move randomly at high speeds colliding

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

Strong attractive and repulsive forces between

Weaker attractive and repulsive forces compared

Negligible, except during collisions

Atoms have kinetic energy and potential energy

Higher kinetic and potential energy

Zero potential energy and very high kinetic energy

The kinetic energy of the particles

When heated, molecules vibrate and

Kinetic energy of gas molecules

Higher density than liquids

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

When the volume of the gas is reduced:

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

c) Describe what happens to the gas molecules during the motion

You might also like