Chapter 10: Problem 23
Use the kinetic molecular theory of gases to explain (a) Charles' law and (b) Boyle's law.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Charles' Law is explained by the fact that with constant pressure, increasing the temperature of a gas increases the velocity of the particles, thus requiring a larger volume for constant pressure. Boyle's Law is described by the increase in collision frequency and pressure when the volume is decreased, provided the temperature remains constant.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases
Begin by recognizing that the kinetic molecular theory of gases is a model that describes a gas as a large number of small particles (atoms or molecules), all of which are in constant, random motion. The state of a gas can be described in terms of the movement and impacts of these particles with each other and the walls of the container.
02
Explaining Charles' Law using Kinetic Molecular Theory
Charles' Law states that at constant pressure, the volume of a given mass of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature measured in Kelvin. According to the kinetic molecular theory, as the temperature of a gas increases, the gas particles move more rapidly. This increase in particle velocity causes more frequent and forceful collisions with the container walls, thus exerting greater pressure. To maintain constant pressure, the volume must increase to allow space for the faster-moving particles, matching the experimental gas behavior described by Charles' Law.
03
Explaining Boyle's Law using Kinetic Molecular Theory
Boyle's Law states that the pressure of a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to its volume when the temperature is held constant. According to kinetic molecular theory, if a gas's volume decreases, the particles become more confined and collide more frequently with the walls of the container. These increased collision rates result in increased pressure. Thus, under constant temperature, for pressure to increase, volume must decrease, consistent with Boyle's Law.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Charles' Law
Charles' Law explains a fundamental property of gas behavior, highlighting the direct relationship between temperature and volume of a gas. Concretely, Charles' Law states that if the pressure is steady, the volume of a given amount of gas grows linearly with the increase of temperature, measured in Kelvin. Imagine a balloon in a warm room; it inflates without adding more air. That’s the principle of Charles' Law in action: as temperature climbs, gas molecules move more vigorously and push outward, requiring more space.
The kinetic molecular theory backs this up by showing us the 'why' behind the phenomenon. As the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the gas particles increases, and so does their velocity. Fast-moving particles exert more frequent impacts on the container’s walls, meaning that to keep the pressure unchanged, the volume must swell to accommodate these lively particles.
The kinetic molecular theory backs this up by showing us the 'why' behind the phenomenon. As the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the gas particles increases, and so does their velocity. Fast-moving particles exert more frequent impacts on the container’s walls, meaning that to keep the pressure unchanged, the volume must swell to accommodate these lively particles.
Boyle's Law
Boyle's Law describes how pressure and volume are inversely related in a gas when the temperature is constant. Put simply, if you compress a gas, maintaining the same temperature, its pressure increases. Conversely, if you permit a gas to expand, its pressure drops. This is observable when you press down on a syringe with your thumb – the trapped gas pushes back harder as you decrease its volume.
The kinetic molecular theory supports this by considering gas particles in motion. If you decrease the volume of a gas, the particles have less room to move around, causing them to hit the container walls more often and more forcefully. These interactions increase the overall pressure. Therefore, in a constant temperature setting, squeezing a gas into a smaller space amplifies the pressure, precisely as Boyle's Law indicates.
The kinetic molecular theory supports this by considering gas particles in motion. If you decrease the volume of a gas, the particles have less room to move around, causing them to hit the container walls more often and more forcefully. These interactions increase the overall pressure. Therefore, in a constant temperature setting, squeezing a gas into a smaller space amplifies the pressure, precisely as Boyle's Law indicates.
Gas Particle Motion
Gas particle motion refers to the continuous and random movement of particles within a gas. Gases consist of a large number of particles moving in all directions at high speeds. This motion is fundamental to understanding gas behavior and underlies both Charles' Law and Boyle's Law.
Particles move quicker with increased energy, usually coming from a rise in temperature. Conversely, when a gas is compressed, its particles are forced into a tighter arrangement, leading to more impacts against the container’s limits and thus, a rise in pressure. This unceasing motion of gas particles is a vivid dance shaped by temperature and space constraints - a dance that's central to the kinetic molecular theory.
Particles move quicker with increased energy, usually coming from a rise in temperature. Conversely, when a gas is compressed, its particles are forced into a tighter arrangement, leading to more impacts against the container’s limits and thus, a rise in pressure. This unceasing motion of gas particles is a vivid dance shaped by temperature and space constraints - a dance that's central to the kinetic molecular theory.
Temperature and Gas Volume Relationship
The temperature and gas volume relationship is a straightforward but crucial concept: if you heat a gas, its volume tends to expand if the pressure remains unaltered. This is a literal reflection of Charles' Law, guiding us to understand how temperature is the driving force behind gas expansion.
In a practical sense, for every Kelvin increase in temperature, a proportional increase in volume can be expected. It's like a heated air mattress—warmer air within expands, making it bouncier. This is all down to the kinetic energy of the gas molecules; higher temperature means greater energy, leading to an increase in the speed and space the molecules require.
In a practical sense, for every Kelvin increase in temperature, a proportional increase in volume can be expected. It's like a heated air mattress—warmer air within expands, making it bouncier. This is all down to the kinetic energy of the gas molecules; higher temperature means greater energy, leading to an increase in the speed and space the molecules require.
Pressure and Gas Volume Relationship
Pressure and gas volume have an intriguing push-and-pull dynamic. As established by Boyle's Law, when the temperature of a gas is stable, increasing the volume leads to a decrease in pressure and vice versa. The principle is observable in everyday life, such as when you inflate a tire—the harder you pump, the more compact the air becomes and the greater the pressure it exerts.
This relationship is key to how gases are harnessed in technology and nature. It reveals how gas particles, when packed into a smaller volume, collide more against the container, building up pressure. Essentially, the pressure of a gas is like the frequency of beats in a drum; confine the drummer to a smaller space, and the rhythm intensifies as they can hit the surface more often.
This relationship is key to how gases are harnessed in technology and nature. It reveals how gas particles, when packed into a smaller volume, collide more against the container, building up pressure. Essentially, the pressure of a gas is like the frequency of beats in a drum; confine the drummer to a smaller space, and the rhythm intensifies as they can hit the surface more often.