Study Guide KMT

Unit 1: Intermolecular Forces of Attraction and Solids and Liquids
(1) Matter is composed of small particles.

(2) The molecules interact with one another through attractive forces. The strength of
these forces is related to the distance between the particles.
(3) These molecules are always in constant random motion.
(4) The temperature of a substance is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the
molecules.
Table 1.1.2. Examples of particles comprising matter

Examples Gold Oxygen Water Sodium Chloride
Macroscopic
gold bar oxygen gas in drop of water table salt

a tank
Microscopic
gold atoms oxygen water molecules sodium and

molecules chloride ions
Matter Is Composed of Small Particles

Atoms are the building blocks of matter. Matter can exist as a group of individual atoms or
as a group of atoms bonded together called molecules. A pure gold bar, for example, is
composed of many gold atoms. However, some elements can exist as molecules. For
example, oxygen gas exists as a diatomic molecule, O2. Matter can also come in the form of
compounds. Compounds are produced when two or more atoms of different elements
combine chemically. Water (H2O) is a compound composed of molecules made up of an
oxygen atom covalently bonded to two hydrogen atoms. Sodium chloride is a compound
made up of sodium and chloride ions interacting.
1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 4

Molecules Interact through Attractive Forces

The attractive forces between molecules are known as the intermolecular forces. These
forces affect the spacing between molecules. The stronger the interaction between two
molecules, the smaller their distance will be. The strength of the attractive force at a given
temperature can be used to differentiate the states of matter. Solids have particles with
strong intermolecular forces such that their particles are very close to one another. Liquids
have intermediate intermolecular forces. This makes liquid particles farther from one
another compared to those in solids. Gases, on the other hand, have particles that are very
far apart from one another due to weak intermolecular forces.
Molecules Are in Constant Random Motion

All molecules are in constant random motion. The extent of their motion varies depending
on the temperature and strength of the interaction between the particles. Solids, due to
their strong intermolecular forces, have restricted motion. The particles of solids are only
able to vibrate back and forth around a specific point or location. Liquids, having
intermediate intermolecular forces, are able to move past each other. Since their particles
are still close to one another, the motion is restricted to small distances as they will collide
with another molecule. Gases, having weak intermolecular forces, are able to move in
relatively long distances before colliding with another molecule. This happens because the
particles are very far apart from one another.
Temperature Is a Measure of the Average Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy refers to the energy of particles in motion. Since all molecules are in
constant random motion, they contain kinetic energy. The higher the kinetic energy, the
more active the particles are. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of
molecules. Increasing the temperature will result in a faster motion of the particles. This can
be used to describe phase changes.

ice water steam
molecules in ice molecules in water molecules in steam

Fig. 1.1.1. Nanoscale representations of the three states of matter
States of Matter
Matter can be described in terms of its physical state. A solid is characterized by having a
rigid shape and fixed volume. Unlike solids, liquids and gases do not have a definite shape.
They take the shape of their container. Liquids are similar to solids in such a way that their
volumes do not change significantly with varying temperatures and pressure. Gases, on the
other hand, have volumes that depend on temperature and pressure.
How can the kinetic molecular theory explain the

properties of each state of matter?

Table 1.1.3. Characteristic properties of the states of matter
State of
Shape Volume Compressibility
Matter
solid fixed shape fixed volume virtually

incompressible
liquid depends on the fixed volume only slightly

container compressible
gas depends on the assumes the volume of very compressible

container the container
Based on the kinetic molecular theory of matter, the state of a matter is determined by two
factors—temperature and strength of intermolecular forces. At lower temperatures,
intermolecular forces determine the state of a substance. Substances with intermediate to
strong intermolecular forces will form a condensed phase, either solid or liquid. Those with
weak intermolecular forces will be in the gaseous state.
How does the kinetic molecular theory explain

phase changes?
If we take into consideration the same set of molecules, then its state will be determined by
the temperature. Recall that a higher temperature means a higher average kinetic energy.
In other words, the particles will have enough energy to move around faster. Let’s take ice
as an example. The water molecules in ice are only capable of vibrating back and forth to a
specific location since it is in the solid phase. Increasing the temperature will provide
enough kinetic energy to overcome their strong intermolecular forces. This will allow the
molecules to move past one another. In this process, the solid becomes a liquid in a process
called melting. In the same manner, when liquid water is heated, its particles are able to
move past one another in relatively longer distances. The process in which liquid is
converted to a gas is called vaporization.

Did You Know?

Ice-skating is possible since the molecules in ice are farther apart
than they are in liquid water.
Increasing the pressure on a substance is similar to compressing

the substance. When you compress a substance, its particles will
become closer to one another. When you ice-skate, your body
weight exerts high pressure onto the ice surface. Since the particles
in ice are not yet the closest possible arrangement, they rearrange
to form liquid water. You can glide through the ice due to the liquid
water that forms under your skates.
How does the kinetic molecular theory describe

phases and phase changes?
Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________
● The kinetic molecular theory states that:

○ Matter is composed of small particles.
○ The molecules interact with one another through attractive forces. The
strength of these forces is related to the distance between the particles.
○ These molecules are always in constant random motion.
○ The temperature of a substance is a measure of the average kinetic energy
of the molecules.
● Solids have particles with strong intermolecular forces that cause the particles to
be close together. This causes the particles’ motion to be restricted to vibrations.
● Liquids have particles with intermediate intermolecular forces that cause the
particles to be farther apart from one another than in solids. This allows the
particles to move about but in relatively short distances.

● Gases have particles with negligible intermolecular forces that cause the particles
to be very far apart from one another. Due to the large distances between
particles, the molecules are able to move in long distances.
● The average kinetic energy of the molecules can be measured by determining the
temperature.
● The physical state of matter is affected by both kinetic energy and intermolecular
forces. At low temperatures, intermolecular forces dominate. At high temperatures,
the molecules have higher kinetic energy and will be able to overcome the
intermolecular forces present.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Check Your Understanding
A. Identify the term described in each of the following items:
___________________________ 1. This theory explains how microscopic parameters

relate to macroscopic properties of matter.
___________________________ 2. This is the state of matter that is rigid. It has a definite

shape and volume and is not compressible.
___________________________ 3. This term refers to the interactions between particles.
___________________________ 4. This is a measure of the average kinetic energy of

particles.
___________________________ 5. This is a measure of the average kinetic energy of

particles.
B. Write T if the statement is true. Otherwise, write F.
___________________________ 1. Matter is composed of small particles.
___________________________ 2. The particles comprising matter are stationary.

Study Guide KMT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Study Guide KMT

Uploaded by

Document Information

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

Study Guide KMT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 1: Intermolecular Forces of Attraction and Solids and Liquids

(1) Matter is composed of small particles.

Table 1.1.2. Examples of particles comprising matter

gold bar oxygen gas in drop of water table salt

gold atoms oxygen water molecules sodium and

Matter Is Composed of Small Particles

1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 4

Molecules Interact through Attractive Forces

Molecules Are in Constant Random Motion

Temperature Is a Measure of the Average Kinetic Energy

1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 5

ice water steam

molecules in ice molecules in water molecules in steam

How can the kinetic molecular theory explain the

1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 6

Table 1.1.3. Characteristic properties of the states of matter

solid ﬁxed shape ﬁxed volume virtually

liquid depends on the ﬁxed volume only slightly

gas depends on the assumes the volume of very compressible

How does the kinetic molecular theory explain

1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 7

Did You Know?

Increasing the pressure on a substance is similar to compressing

How does the kinetic molecular theory describe

● The kinetic molecular theory states that:

1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 8

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the term described in each of the following items:

___________________________ 1. This theory explains how microscopic parameters

___________________________ 2. This is the state of matter that is rigid. It has a deﬁnite

___________________________ 3. This term refers to the interactions between particles.

___________________________ 4. This is a measure of the average kinetic energy of

___________________________ 5. This is a measure of the average kinetic energy of

B. Write T if the statement is true. Otherwise, write F.

___________________________ 1. Matter is composed of small particles.

___________________________ 2. The particles comprising matter are stationary.

1.1. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter 9

You might also like