I/GCSE Physics - Kinetic Theory and Gases

Kinetic Theory🧐

• The temperature of a gas is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles of a gas.
  • Heating a gas increases KE of particles so they move faster and temperature rises.
• The pressure of a gas is caused by the forces exerted as moving particles hit the walls of a container. 
  • Faster particles cause more collisions and so a greater force is exerted on the walls.
    • Increasing the temp. of a gas will speed up the particles and therefore increase the pressure.
• Absolute zero is the temperature at which the pressure of a gas drops to 0.
  • 0°K = -273°C
  • 0°C = 273°K

Calculating Volumes and Pressures🤯

If a volume of a gas increases at a constant pressure, then the pressure decreases.

V₁P₁ = V₂P₂

If the temp. of a gas increases at a constant pressure, then the volume increases.

V₁ = V₂T₁ / T₂

Pressure, volume or temperature can be found by rearranging:

P₁V₁ / T₁ = P₂V₂ / T₂

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Drafted by Catrina (Physics)