1.1 Kinetic Molecular Theory

Lesson 1.
Kinetic Molecular Theory

of Matter
General Chemistry 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Have you ever bought an ice cream on a hot summer
day?
If yes, then you
must have noticed
how ice cream,
when taken out of
the freezer, takes a
definite shape, but
when exposed in
the summer heat,
slowly loses its form
and melts.
In this lesson, you will be
learning about theories
governing the different states
of matter. You will learn the
relationship of the different
macroscopic properties of
matter to that of its molecular
interactions.
Learning Objectives:
● Explain the kinetic molecular theory of
matter.
● Compare and contrast the different states

of matter based on the kinetic molecular
theory.
Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
● The kinetic molecular theory of matter provides an
overview of the microscopic properties of molecules or
atoms and their interactions.
● It describes the microscopic properties of matter and

how they translate to the state and other properties of
matter.
Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
It states that ..
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.
1. Matter Is Composed of Small Particles
Earlier atomic models

● Atoms are the building blocks of matter.
gold atom
gold bar gold atoms / gold molecule

● Matter can also exist as molecules.
drop of water water molecules

● Matter can also exist as molecules.
table salt sodium and chloride ions

2. Molecules Interact through Attractive Forces
● The attractive forces between molecules

are known as the intermolecular
forces.
● The stronger the interaction between

two molecules, the smaller their
distance will be.
solid liquid gas
Solids
● Solids have particles

with strong
intermolecular
forces such that
their particles are
very close to one
another. particles of solid
Liquids
● Liquids have
intermediate
intermolecular
forces. This makes
liquid particles farther
from one another
compared to those in
particles of liquid
solids.
Gases
● Gases have particles

that are very far
apart from one
another due to
weak
intermolecular
forces. particles of gas
3. 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
● 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. particles of solid
Liquids
● 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
particles of liquid
will collide with another
molecule.
Gases
● 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. particles of gas
4. Temperature Is a Measure of the Average KE
heat increases
KE increases
States of Matter
Matter can be described in terms of its physical
state.
It can either be solid, liquid, or gas.
solid liquid gas

(ice) (water) (steam)
States of Matter
State of
Shape Volume Compressibility
Matter
solid virtually
fixed shape fixed volume incompressible
liquid depends on the fixed volume only slightly
container compressible
gas depends on assumes the volume very

the container of the container compressible
States of Matter
Particulate Drawings of Solid, Liquid, and Gas
Check Your Understanding
Identify the state of matter being described below.

LIQUID 1. The particles move about in relatively
short distances.
SOLID 2. The particles vibrate at a specific location
only.
GAS
3. The particles move in longer distances.
SOLID 4. The particles are held together by strong
intermolecular forces.
GAS 5. The particles have negligible
intermolecular forces. 26
How can the kinetic molecular theory explain
the properties of each state of matter?
Based on the kinetic molecular theory of

matter, the state of a matter is determined
by two factors—temperature and strength
of intermolecular forces.
Properties of the States of Matter
As explained by KMT:
● 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?
Phase Changes
● Recall that a higher temperature means
a higher average kinetic energy.
● This means that the particles will have

enough energy to move around faster.
● Increasing the temperature also weakens

the intermolecular forces of
attraction.
H H
W
I I
AVERAGE E INTERMOLECULAR
G G
H
TEMPERATURE = H KINETIC ENERGY=
A
FORCES
K
E E
R R
L L S
O O T
W W AVERAGE
E
TEMPERATURE = E KINETIC ENERGY=
R
INTERMOLECULAR
O
R R N FORCES
G
Melting
● The molecules in ice vibrates
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.
● The solid becomes a liquid in
a process called melting.
Vaporization
● 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.
How does the kinetic molecular theory describe
phases and phase changes?
Process Phase Temperature Average Intermolecular
Change Kinetic forces
Energy
Melting Strong to
Solid to Liquid Increasing Increasing Intermediate
(Decreasing)
Vaporization Liquid to Gas Intermediate
Increasing Increasing to weak
(Decreasing)
SEATWORK NO. 1
Process Phase Temperature Average Intermolecular
Change Kinetic forces
Energy
Deposition
Condensation
Freezing /
Solidification
Sublimation
LET’S SUM IT UP!
● 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.
LET’S SUM IT UP!
● 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
each other 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.
LET’S SUM IT UP!
● 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.

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Lesson 1.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

● Compare and contrast the different states

● It describes the microscopic properties of matter and

Earlier atomic models

gold bar gold atoms / gold molecule

drop of water water molecules

table salt sodium and chloride ions

● The attractive forces between molecules

● The stronger the interaction between

● Solids have particles

● Gases have particles

● All molecules are in constant random

● The extent of their motion varies depending

● Solids, due to their

solid liquid gas

gas depends on assumes the volume very

Identify the state of matter being described below.

Based on the kinetic molecular theory of

● Substances with intermediate to strong

● Those with weak intermolecular forces will be in the

● This means that the particles will have

● Increasing the temperature also weakens

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