KINETIC THEORY OF GASES

The theory postulates the following for an ideal or perfect gas:

1. Gas molecules are in constant, rapid, straight motion, colliding with one another and with the walls
of the container.

2. The collision of gas molecules is perfectly elastic.

3. The total volume of the gas molecule is negligible compared to the volume of the container.
4. The force of attraction between the gas molecules is negligible.
5. The average kinetic energy of the molecule is a measure of the temperature of the gas molecules.

PHENOMENA SUPPORTING THE KINETIC THEORY OF GASES

Brownian motion: This is the constant, irregular movement of particles in a liquid or gas. It shows that gas
molecules are in constant motion.

Diffusion: Diffusion is the movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to lower
concentration. Diffusion is common in gases and it results from the random movement of particles of a gas.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION
1. Compare the three states of matter under the following headings: Shape/volume, Density,
Compressibility and Motion of particles.
2. Write short note on (a) Boiling (b) Evaporation.
3. 100cm3 each of 0.02moldm-3 solution of HCl and Pb(NO3)2 were mixed. Assuming the PbCl2 is
completely insoluble; determine the mass of the PbCl2 precipitated.
4. State the postulates of Dalton’s Atomic theory.

READING ASSIGNMENT
New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary School by O.Y. Ababio, Pg 71-77
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. ------ is measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a gas.
A. mass B. volume C. pressure D. temperature.
2. All the following are the assumptions of the kinetic theoryof gases except
A. Gases are composed of many elastic particles called molecules. B. The molecules are of negligible
C. The molecules collide with one another and with the walls of container.
D. The molecules are in constant random motion.
3. Presence of sodium chloride in ice will
A. decrease the melting point of the ice B. increase the melting point of the ice C. make sodium
chloride impure D. lower the freezing point of sodium chloride
4. Which of these does not support the kinetic theory?
A. Brownian motion B. Diffusion C. Osmosis D. Linear expansivity
5. The phenomenon whereby the atmospheric pressure equals the saturated vapour pressure is called
A. freezing B. latent heat C. boiling D. normal pressure

THEORY
1. A bottle of milk is taken out of the refrigerator and placed on the table. Droplets of water are noticed
on the surface of the milk bottle. Explain the observation
2. State two phenomena that support the kinetic theoryof gases.
TOPIC: GAS LAWS
CONTENT
 Quantities used in the measurement of gases
 Boyle’s law
 Charles’ law
 Ideal gas equation
 Dalton’s law of partial pressure
QUANTITIES IN THE MEASUREMENTS OF GASES

The following terms are used to describe the behaviour of gases :

Volume : It is the space occupied particles of an object . The S.I unit is m3, dm3 and cm3.
For conversion :
1000cm3 = 1dm3
1dm3 = 1 litre
1cm3 = 1millilitres

Temperature : It is a measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a body . It is measured by the use of
a thermometer.
The S.I unit of temperature is absolute Kelvin ,K . Other temperature scales has the same interval as the
Celsius degree , oC
OoC is equal to 273K .
In order to convert t 0C to Kelvin scale ,T K,
T0C = (273 + t) K = T K

Pressure :This is defined as force per unit area .It determines the direction of flow of matter ,usually from
a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration .
A barometer is used to in measuring the atmospheric pressure ,while a manometer is used for the pressure
of gases .
The S.I unit of pressure is atmosphere or Nm-2 ,Pa or mmHg

1 atm = 101325 Nm-2 or 101325Pa

1 atm = 760mmHg
1atm = 760torr

BOYLE’S LAW
It states that the volume of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to the pressure provided the
temperature remains constant.

Mathematically,
V α 1/P
V = k/P
PV = k
Hence, P1V1 = P2V2
Boyle’s law can be represented graphically as shown below.
The graph shows that if the pressure is doubled, the volume is reduced to half its former value and if it is
halved, the volume is doubled.

EXPLANATION OF BOYLE’S LAW USING THE KINETIC THEORY

When the volume of fixed mass of gas is decreased, the molecules of the gas will collide with each other
more rapidly. This gives rise to an increase in pressure. However, if molecules are farther apart the number
of collisions for unit time decreases, resulting in a decrease in pressure.

CHARLES’ LAW
Charles’ law states that the volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure is directly proportional to its
temperature in the Kelvin scale.
Mathematically,
VαT
V = k/T
V=k
T

Hence, V1 = V2
T1 T2
The graphical representation of Charles’ law is as shown below:

EXPLANATION OF CHARLES’ LAW USING THE KINETIC THEORY

When a given gas is heated at constant pressure, the molecules acquire more kinetic energy and move
faster. They collide with one another and with the walls of the container more frequently. To maintain the
same number of collisions on the walls of container (i.e. keep the pressure constant) the volume of the gas
increases.
CALCULATIONS BASED ON BOYLE’S AND CHARLES’ LAW
1. 200cm3 of a gas has a pressure of 510mmHg. What will be its volume if pressure in increased to
780mmHg, assuming there is no change in temperature?

2. A certain mass of a gas occupies 300cm3 at 35oC. At what temperature will it have its volume reduced by
half assuming its pressure remains constant?

EVALUATION
1. State Boyle’s law
2. Explain Charles’ law using the kinetic theory

GENERAL GAS EQUATION

Boyle’s and Charles’ laws are combined into a single expression known as the general gas equation which
can be expressed mathematically as
P1V1 = P2V2
T1T2

IDEAL GAS EQUATION

This equation states that for an ideal gas PV/T is a constant.
That is, PV = R (R = molar gas constant)
T
PV = RT
That is, for n mole of a gas, the equation becomes
PV = nRT

CALCULATIONS
1. What is the volume at s.t.p of a fixed mass of a gas that occupies 700cm3 at 25oC and 0.84 x 105 Nm-
2
pressure?

3. Calculate the number of moles present in a certain mass of gas occupying 6.5dm3 at 3atm and 15oC
(R = 0.082atmdm3K-1mol-1)

DALTON’S LAW OF PARTIAL PRESSURE

This law state that in a mixture of gases which do not react chemically together, the total pressure exerted
by the mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressure of the individual gases that make up the
mixture.
Mathematically, the law can be expressed as:
Ptotal = PA + PB +PC........Pn

Where Ptotal is the total pressure of the mixture and PA, PB, PC are the partial pressure exerted separately by
the individual gases A, B, C that make up the mixture.
The pressure each constituent gas exerts is called partial pressure and is expressed as
Partial pressure of gas A (PA) = Number of moles of gas A x Ptotal
Total number of moles of gas in mixture

That is, PA = nA x Ptotal

nA + nB + nC
If the gas is collected over water, it is likely to be saturated with water vapour and the total pressure
becomes
Ptotal = Pgas + Pwater vapour
Pgas = Ptotal – Pwater vapour

CALCULATION ON THE LAW

A gaseous mixture containing 64g of O2 and 70g of N2 exerts a total pressure of 1.8oatm. What is the
partial pressure exerted by oxygen in the mixture?

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION
1. State Dalton’s of partial pressure.
2. Calculate the pressure at 27oC of 16.0g O2 gas occupying 2.50dm3
3. A certain mass of hydrogen gas collected over water at 10oC and 760mmHg pressure has a volume of
37cm3. Calculate the volume when it is dry at s.t.p (Saturated vapour pressure of water at 10oC
=1.2mmHg)
4. Determine the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in each of the following: 39K19, 63.5Cu29.
5. If an element R has isotopes 60% of 12R6 and 40% xR6 and the relative atomic mass is 12.4, find x.

READING ASSIGNMENT
New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary School by O.Y. Ababio, Pg 78-85.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Kelvin temperature can be converted into temperature by [Link] = K-273 B. K + 273 [Link] + 273/K D. K
+ 273/oC
2. The pressure exerted by a gas is a result of the A. continuous random motion of its particle.
B. bombardment of the walls of the container by its molecules. [Link] of the gas molecules
D. collision between the gas molecules.
3. From the ideal gas equation, PV = nRT, the unit of n is A. atmdm3B. atmdm3/K C. mole D. K/mole
4. What will be the new volume (V) if the new pressure is halved and the initial pressure remain the
same the sameA. 2P1V1 = P2V2B. P1V1 = 2P2V2C. P1V1/2= P2V2/2 D. P1V1 = P2V2/2
5. A fixed mass of gas of volume 546cm3 at 0oC is heated at constant pressure. What is the volume of
the gas at 2oC? A. 550cm3B. 560cm3C. 570cm3D. 580cm3

THEORY
1. A given mass of nitrogen is 0.12dm3 at 60oC and 1.01 x 105Nm-2. Find its pressure at the same
temperature if its volume is changed to 0.24dm3
2. 272cm3 of CO2 was collected over water at 15oC and 782mmHg pressure. Calculate the volume of
dry gas at s.t.p (saturated vapour pressure of water at 15oC is 12mmHg).
WEEK TEN DATE-------------
TOPIC: GAS LAWS
CONTENT
 Avogadro’s law
 Gay lussac’s law of combinig volumes
 Graham’s law of diffusion

AVOGADRO’S LAW
This law states that equal volume of all gases at the same temperature and pressure contain the same
number of molecules. This means that 1 mole of any gas at s.t.p has a volume of 22.4dm3.

GAY LUSSAC’S LAW OF COMBINING VOLUMES

It states that when gases react they do so in volumes which are simple ratios to one another and to the
volumes of the products if gaseous, provided that the temperature and pressure remain constant.

CALCULATION ON THE LAW

Calculate the volume of oxygen required to burn 500cm3 of methane completely.
Solution:

EVALUATION
1. State the Gay Lussac’s law of combining volumes
2. 40cm3 of hydrogen was sparked with 160cm3 of oxygen at 100oC and 1atm. Determine the volume of
oxygen left after the reaction.

GRAHAM’S LAW OF DIFFUSION

It states that the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its density at
constant temperature and pressure.
Mathematically,
R α 1/√d
R = k/√d where k is a constant
Comparing the rate of diffusion of two gases:
R1 = √d2
R2 √d1
In terms of relative molecular mass, M
R α 1/√M
For two gases,
R1 = √M2
R2 √M1
But rate of diffusion is reciprocal of time, R =1/t
That is,
R1 = t 2
R2 t 1
From the inverse relationship we can deduce that the less dense a gas is, the higher the rate of diffusion and
vice versa.
CALCULATION
1. A given volume of SO2 diffuses in 60 seconds. How long will it take the same volume of CH4 to
diffuse under the same condition (SO2 = 64, CH4 = 16)

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION
1. State Graham’s law of diffusion
2. Under the same condition of temperature and pressure, hydrogen diffuses 8 times as fast as gas Y.
Calculate the relative molecular mass of Y.
3. State the following rule/principle: (a) Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity (b) Aufbau principle
4. Write the electronic configuration of (a) oxide ion, (b) Aluminium ion, (c) potassium (d) phosphorus.

READING ASSIGNMENT
New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary School by O.Y. Ababio, Pg 86-92

WEEKENDASSIGNMENT
1. 400cm3 of a gas X diffuses through a porous pot in 2 minutes. Calculate the rate at which X diffuses. A.
6.3cm3s-1B. 20cm3s-1 C. 200cm3s-1D. 3.33cm3s-1#
2. The relationship between the density (d) of a gas and the rate at which the gas diffuses is A. R = kd
B. R= k/√d C. R = k√d D. k/d
3. Calculate the minimum volume of oxygen required for the complete combustion of a mixture of 20cm 3
CO and 20cm3 of H2. A. 10cm3B. 20cm3C. 40cm3D. 60cm3
4. If sulphur (iv) oxide and methane (CH4) are released at the same time at opposite ends of a tube, the
rate of diffusion will be in the ratio A. 2:1 B. 4:1 C. 1:4 D. 1:2
5. ‘Equal volume of all gases at the same temperature and pressure contain same number of molecules’ is
a state of which law A. Avogadro’s law B. Boyle’s lawC. Charles’ law D. Chemical law

THEORY
1. Arrange the following gases in order of increasing rate of diffusion: CO, SO2, H2S,NO2 and O2.
2. The vapour densities of O2 and Cl2 are 16 and 36 respectively. If 60cm3 of O2 diffuses through a porous
partition in 14 seconds, how long will it take 1000cm3 of Cl2 to diffuse through the same partition?