60

9.1 Kinetic Theory of Gases : Assumption

E3
(1) The molecules of a gas are identical, spherical and perfectly elastic point
masses.
(2) The volume of molecules is negligible in comparison to the volume of gas.

ID
(3) Molecules of a gas moves randomly in all direction.
(4) The speed of gas molecules lie between zero and infinity.
(5) Their collisions are perfectly elastic.
U
(6) The number of collisions per unit volume in a gas remains constant.
YG

(7) No attractive or repulsive force acts between gas molecules.

9.2 Pressure of an ideal Gas

P =
D
U

Relation between pressure and kinetic energy

ST

∴ K.E. per unit volume (E) =

9.3 Ideal Gas Equation
The equation which relates the pressure (P), volume (V) and temperature
(T) of the given state of an ideal gas is known as gas equation.

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 285

 60
Pv = nrT

E3
ґ
(1) Universal gas constant (R) : Dimension [ML2T–2θ–1]

Thus universal gas constant signifies the work done by (or on) a gas per
mole per kelvin.

S.T.P value : 8.31

ID
U
(2) Boltzman’s constant (k) : Dimension [ML2T–2θ–1]

k = 1.38 × 10–23 Joule/kelvin

YG

9.4 Various Speeds of Gas Molecules

(1) Root wean square speed Vrms =

D

(2) Most probable speed Vmp =

U

(3) Average speed Vav =

ST

• Vrms > Vav > Vmp (remembering trick) (RAM)

9.5 Kinetic Energy of Ideal Gas

Molecules of ideal gases possess only translational motion. So they possess

only translational kinetic energy.

286 Physics Class XI

 60
E3
Here m = mass of each molecule, M = Molecular weight of gas and
NA – Avogadro number = 6.023 × 1023.

9.6 Degree of Freedom

ID
The total number of independent modes (ways) in which a system can possess
energy is called the degree of freedom (f).
U
The degree of freedom are of three types :
YG

(i) Translational degree of freedom

(ii) Rotational degree of freedom

(iii) Vibrational degree of freedom

D

General expression for degree of freedom

f = 3N – R, where N = Number of independent particles, R = Number of

U

independent restriction

(1) Monoatomic gas : It can have 3 degrees of freedom (all translational).

ST

(2) Diatomic gas : A diatomic molecule has 5 degree of freedom : 3

translational and 2 rotational.

(3) Triatomic gas (Non-linear) : It has 6 degrees of freedom : 3 translational

and 3 rotational.

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 287

 (4) Tabular display of degree of freedom of different gases

60
E3
ID
• The above degrees of freedom are shown at room temperature. Further
at high temperature the molecule will have an additional degrees of
U
freedom, due to vibrational motion.
9.7 Law of Equipartition of Energy
YG

For any system in thermal equilibrium, the total energy is equally distributed
among its various degree of freedom. And the energy associated with each

molecule of the system per degree of freedom of the system is

9.8 Mean Free Path
D

The average distance travelled by a gas molecule is known as mean free path.
Let λ1, λ2, λ3 ......... λn be the distance travelled by a gas molecule during n
U

collisions respectively, then the mean free path of a gas molecule is given
by
ST

λ=

λ1 = where d = Diameter of the molecule, n = Number of molecules

per unit volume.

288 Physics Class XI

 9.9 Specific heat or Specific Heat Capacity
(1) Gram specific heat : It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise
the temperature of unit gram mass of the substance by unit degree. Gram

specific heat c = .

(2) Molar specific heat : It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise

60
the temperature of one gram mole of the substance by a unit degree, it
is represented by capital (C)

C =

E3
C = Mc =

9.10 Specific Heat of Gases

∴ C =
ID
(i) In adiabatic process i.e., ∆Q = 0,

(ii) In isothermal process i.e., ∆T = 0
= 0 i.e., C = 0
U
∴ C = i.e., C = ∞
YG

Specific heat of gas can have any positive value ranging from zero to infinity.
Further it can even be negative. Out of many values of specific heat of a gas,
two are of special significance.

(1) Specific heat of a gas at constant volume (Cv) : It is defined as the

D

quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of unit mass of gas

through 1 K when its volume is kept constant.

(2) Specific heat of a gas at constant pressure (Cp) : It is defined as the

U

quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of unit mass of gas

through 1 K when its pressure is kept constant.
ST

9.11 Mayer’s Formula

Cp – Cv = R

This relation is called Mayer’s formula and shows that Cp > Cv i.e., molar
specific heat at constant pressure is greater than that at constant volume.

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 289

 9.12 Specific Heat in Terms of Degree of Freedom
Specific heat and kinetic energy for different gases

Monoatomic Diatomic Triatomic Triatomic

non-linear linear
Atomicity A 1 2 3 3

60
Restriction B 0 1 3 2

Degree of f = 3A – B 3 5 6 7
freedom

E3
Molar

specific
heat at

constant 3R
volume

Molar

specific
heat at
Cp =
ID
U

constant 4R
pressure
YG

Ratio of Cp
and Cv

Kinetic
energy
of 3RT
1 mole
D

Kinetic

energy of 1 3kT
U

molecule
Kinetic
3rT
energy of
ST

1 gm

QUESTIONS
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (1 MARK)
1. Write two conditions when real gases obey the ideal gas equation (PV =
nRT).n → number of mole.

290 Physics Class XI

 2. If the number of molecule in a container is doubled. What will be the effect
on the rms speed of the molecules ?
3. Draw the graph between P and 1/V (reciprocal of volume) for a perfect gas
at constant temperature.
4. Name the factors on which the degree of freedom of gas depends.
5. What is the volume of a gas at absolute zero of temperature ?

60
6. How much volume does one mole of a gas occupy at STP ?
7. What is an ideal gas ?
8. The absolute temperature of a gas is increased 3 times what is the effect on

E3
the root mean square velocity of the molecules ?
9. What is the Kinetic energy per unit volume of a gas whose pressure is P ?
10. A container has equal number of molecules of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
If a fine hole is made in the container, then which of the two gases shall leak
out rapidly ?
ID
11. What is the mean translational Kinetic energy of a perfect gas molecule at T
temperature ?
U
12. Why it is not possible to increase the temperature of a gas while keeping its
volume and pressure constant.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 MARKS)
YG

13. When an automobile travels for a long distance the air pressure in the tyres
increases. Why ?
14. A gas storage tank has a small leak. The pressure in the tank drop more
quickly if the gas is hydrogen than if it is oxygen. Why ?
D

15. Why the land has a higher temperature than the ocean during the day but a
lower temperature at night.
16. Helium is a mixture of two isotopes having atomic masses 3g/mol and
U

4g/mol. In a sample of helium gas, which atoms move faster on average ?

17. State Avogadro’s law. Deduce it on the basis of Kinetic theory of gases.
ST

18. Although the velocity of air molecules is nearly 0.5 km/s yet the smell of
scent spreads at a much slower rate why.
19. The root mean square (rms) speed of oxygen molecule at certain temperature
‘T’ is ‘V’. If temperature is doubled and oxygen gas dissociates into atomic
oxygen what is the speed of atomic oxygen ?

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 291

 20. Two vessels of the same volume are filled with the same gas at the same
temperature. If the pressure of the gas in these vessels be in the ratio 1 : 2
then state
(i) The ratio of the rms speeds of the molecules.
(ii) The ratio of the number of molecules.

60
21. Why gases at high pressure and low temperature show large deviation from
ideal gas behaviour ?
22. A gas is filled in a cylinder fitted with a piston at a definite temperature and
pressure. Why the pressure of the gas decreases when the piston is pulled out.

E3
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)
23. On what parameters does the λ (mean free path) depends.
24. Equal masses of oxygen and helium gases are supplied equal amount of heat.

25. Why evaporation causes cooling ?

ID
Which gas will undergo a greater temperature rise and why ?

26. Two thermally insulated vessels 1 and 2 are filled, with air at temperatures
U
(T1, T2), volume (V1, V2) at pressure (P1, P2) respectively. If the value
joining the two vessels is opened what is temperature of the vessel at
equilibrium ?
YG

27. A partition divides a container having insulated walls into two compartments
I and II. The same gas fills the two compartment. What is the ratio of the
number of molecules in compartments I and II ?
D
U

28. Prove that for a perfect gas having n degree of freedom

ST

where Cp and Cv have their usual meaning.

29. The ratio of specific heat capacity at constant pressure to the specific heat
capacity at constant volume of a diatomic gas decreases with increase in

292 Physics Class XI

 temperature. Explain.
30. Isothermal curves for a given mass of gas are shown at two different
temperatures T1 and T2 state whether T1 > T2 or T2 > T1 justify your answer.

60
E3
31. Three vessels of equal capacity have gases at the same temperature and
pressure. The first vessel contains neon (monatomic) the second contains
chlorine (diatomic) and the third contains uranium hexafluoride (polyatomic).

ID
Do the vessels contain equal number of respective molecules ? Is the root
mean square speed of molecules the same in the three cases ? If not in which
case is Vrms the largest ?
32. State Grahm’s law of diffusion. How do you obtain this form Kinetic Theory
U
of gases.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 MARKS)

YG

33. What are the basic assumptions of kinetic theory of gases ? On their basis
derive an expression for the pressure exerted by an ideal gas.
34. What is meant by mean free path of a gas molecule ? Derive an expression
for it.
D

35. Given that P = where P is the pressure, ρ is the density and c is the
rms. Velocity of gas molecules. Deduce Boyle’s law and Charles law of gases
U

from it.
36. What do you understand by mean speed, root mean square speed and most
ST

probable speed of a gas. The velocities of ten particles in m/s are 0, 2, 3, 4,

4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 9 calculate.
(i) Average speed
(ii) r.m.s. speed
37. What is law of equipartition of energy ? Find the value of γ =Cp/Cv for
diatomic and monatomic gas. Where symbol have usual meaning.
Kinetic Theory Of Gases 293
 NUMERICALS
38. An air bubble of volume 1.0 cm3 rises from the bottom of a lake 40 m deep
at a temperature of 12ºC. To what volume does it grow when it reaches the
surface which is at a temperature of 35ºC ?
39. A vessel is filled with a gas at a pressure of 76 cm of mercury at a certain
temperature. The mass of the gas is increased by 50% by introducing more
gas in the vessel at the same temperature. Find out the resultant pressure of

60
the gas.
40. One mole of a monoatomic gas is mixed with three moles of a diatomic gas.
What is the molecular specific heat of the mixture at constant volume ?

E3
Take R = 8.31/mol–1 K–1.
41. An oxygen cylinder of volume 30 litre has an initial gauge pressure of 15
atmosphere and a temperature of 27ºC. After some oxygen is withdrawn from
the cylinder, the gauge pressure drops to 11 atmosphere and its temperature
drop to17ºC. Estimate the mass of oxygen taken out of the cylinder.
(R = 8.31/mol–1 K–1)
(molecular mass of O2 = 32)
ID
42. At what temperature the rms speed of oxygen atom equal to r.m.s. speed of
U
helium gas atom at – 10ºC ?
Atomic mass of helium = 4
YG

Atomic mass of oxygen = 32

43. Estimate the total number of molecules inclusive of oxygen, nitrogen, water
vapour and other constituents in a room of capacity 25.0 m3 at a temperature
of 27ºC and 1 atmospheric pressure.
44. 0.014 kg of nitrogen is enclosed in a vessel at a temperature of 27ºC. How
D

much heat has to be transferred to the gas to double the rms speed of its
molecules.
ANSWERS (1 MARK)
U

1. (i) Low pressure (ii) High temperature.

2. No effect
ST

3.

294 Physics Class XI

 4. Atomicity and temperature.
5. 0
6. 22.4 litre
7. Gas in which intermolecular forces are absent.
8. increases times

60
9. 3P/2
10. Hydrogen (rms speed is greater)

11.

E3
12.

P and V are constant then T is also constant.

ID
ANSWERS (2 MARKS)
13. Work is done against friction. This work done is converted into heat.
Temperature rises. PV = nRT, As volume of tyre is const. P ∝ T.
U
14. Rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of the
density. So hydrogen leaked out more rapidly.
YG

15. Specific Heat of water is more than land (earth). Therefore for given heat
change in temp. of land is more than ocean (water).

19.

c’ = 2v
D

20. (i)
as the temperature is same rms speeds are same.
U

(ii)
ST

i.e.,

21. When temperature is low and pressure is high the intermolecular forces
become appreciable thus the volume occupied by the molecular is not
negligibly small as composed to volume of gas.

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 295

 22. When piston is pulled out the volume of the gas increases, Now losses number
of molecules colliding against the wall of container per unit area decreases.
Hence pressure decreases.
ANSWERS (3 MARKS)
23. (i) diameter of molecule as

60
(ii) Pressure of gas as

24. Heat supplied to oxygen = Heat supplied to Helium

mc1∆T1 = mc2∆T2

E3
= As , m = molecular mass

ID
=

∆T1 > ∆T2

As m1 > m2

25. During evaporation fast moving molecules escape a liquid surface so the
U
average kinetic energy of the molecules left behind is decreased thus the
temperature of the liquid is lowered.
YG

26. number of mole = Constant

µ1 + µ2 = µ

=
D

From Boyle’s law, P (V1 + V2) = P1V1 + P2V2

27. n = , n’ =
U

n/n’ =
ST

30. T α P V [µR = constant]

Since PV is greater for the curve at T2 than for the curve T1 therefore
T2 > T1.
31. Three vessels at the same pressure and temperature have same volume and

296 Physics Class XI

 contain equal number of molecules.

Vrms = , Vrms ∝

rms speed will not same, neon has smallest mass therefore rms speed will be

largest for neon.

60
38. V1 = 10–6 m3
Pressure on bubble P1 = Water pressure + Atmospheric pressure
= pgh + Patm
= 4.93 × 105 Pa

E3
T1 = 285 k, T2 = 308 k

ID
V2 =
39. According to kinetic theory of gases,
.
U
PV =
YG

At constant temperature, is constant. As v is also constant, so P ∝ m.

When the mass of the gas increase by 50% pressure also increases by 50%,

∴ Final pressure = = 114 cm of Hg.
D

40. For monoatomic gas, Cv = R, n = 1 mole

U

For diatomic gas, Cv’ = R, n’ = 3 mole

From conservation of energy, the molecular specific heat of the mixture is
ST

Cv’ =

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 297

 or C’v = × 8.31 = 18.7 J mol–1 K–1.
41. V1 = 30 litre = 30 × 103 cm3 = 3 × 10–2 m3
P1 = 15 × 1.013 × 105 N/m2
T1 = 300 K

60
µ1 = = 18.3

P2 = 11 × 1.013 × 105 N/m2

V2 = 3 × 10–2 m3

E3
T2 = 290 k

µ2 = = 13.9

µ2 – µ1 = 18.3 – 13.9 = 4.4

Mass of gas taken out of cylinder


ID
= 4.4 × 32 g
= 140.8 g
U
= 0.140 kg.
YG

42. vrms =

Let r.m.s. speed of oxygen is (vrms)1 and of helium is (vrms)2 is equal at

temperature T1 and T2 respectively.
D

=
U

= 1
ST

T1 =
43. As Boltzmann’s constant,

kB =
, ∴ R = kB N

Now PV = nRT = nkB NT

298 Physics Class XI


∴ The number of molecules in the room

= nN =

60
= 6.117 × 1026.
44. Number of mole in 0.014 kg of Nitrogen

n =

E3
Cv =

=
ID , T2 = 4T1

∆T = T2 – T1 = 4T1 – T1 = 3T1
U
= 3 × 300 = 900 K

∆Q = n cv ∆T =
YG

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
45. At what temperature is the rms velocity of hydrogen molecule equal to that
of an oxygen molecule at 47°C.
(a) –73K (b) 3K
D

(c) 20 K (d) 80 K
46. The average kinetic energy of a gas molecule at 27°C is 621×10–1 J. The
U

average kinetic energy of gas molecule at 227°C will be

(a) 52.2×10–21 J (b) 5.22×10–21 J
ST

(c) 10.35×10–21 J (d) 11.35×10–21 J

47. The equation of sate 5 g of oxygen at a pressure P and temperature T, when
occupying a volume V, will be
5 RT 5 RT 5 RT
5 RT 5 RT 5 RT
(a)
= PV = (b)
PV = = PVPV =
32
PV =
16
PV
2
32 16 2
5 RT (c)
5 RT 5 RT (d) PV = 5 RT
PV = PV = PV
32 16 2
Kinetic Theory Of Gases 299
 48. A gas is found to obey the law P2 V = constant. The initial temperature
and volume are To and Vo. If the gas expands to a volume 3Vo. Its final
temperature becomes :
To To To To
(a) (b)
3 To 3 To
3 3 3 3
To To
(c) 3 To (d) 3 To
3

60
3
49. A gas behaves as an ideal gas at

(a) low pressure and high temperature

(b) low pressure and low temperature

E3
(c) high pressure and low temperature

(d) high pressure and high temperature

freedom of a molecule of the gas is

(a) 25
(γ − 1 ( γ − 1 3γ − 1
(b)
9 = 25
2 9
ID
50. If γ is the ratio of specific heats of a perfect gas, the no. of degrees of

(γ − 1
2γ − 1
=
(γ − 1
γ −1
3γ − 1 2
U
2 2 2
2γ − 1 2 γ −1

(γ − 1 ( γ − 1 3γ − 1 2( γ − 1 9 ( γ − 1 3γ − 1 = 2
25 (c)
9 (d)
=25 2 2 2γ − 1 γ −1
2 2 2γ − 1 γ −1
YG

51. A gas is filled in a container at pressure Po. If the mass of molecules is

halved and their rms speed is doubled. The resultant pressure would be

(a) 2Po (b) 4 Po

Po Po Po Po
(c) (d)
4 2
D

4 2
52. The translational kinetic energy of gas molecules for 1 mol of gas is
equal to
U

3RT 3 KT2 KT3 2 KT RT 3 KT

(a) RT (b)
2
RT
3 2 2
2 2 2 3
ST

3 2 KT RT 3 KT 3 2 KT RT 3 KT
(c)
RT (d) 2
RT
3 2 2
2 3 2 2
53. Molecular motion shows itself as

(a) Temperature (b) Internal energy

(c) Friction (d) Viscosity

300 Physics Class XI

 54. A sample of gas is at 0°C. To what temperature it must be raised in order
to double the rms speed of the molecule

(a) 270°C (b) 719°C

(c) 1090°C (d) 100°C

55. The work done by (or on) a gas per mole per kelvin is called

60
(a) Universal gas constant (b) Boltizmann's constant
(c) Gravitational constant (d) Entropy

E3
56. A gas filled in a closed vessel is heated through 1 K and its pressure increases
by 0.4%. What was the initial temperature of the gas?

(a) 250 K (b) 350 K

(c) 450 K (d) 500 K

ID
57. The root mean square speed of the molecules of a gas is

(a) independent of its pressure but directly proportional to its Kelvin

U
temperature
(b) directly proportional to two square root of both its pressure and its
YG

Kelvin temperature
(c) independent of its pressure but directly proportional to the square root
of its Kelvin temperature.

(d) directly proportional to its pressure and its Kelvin temperature.

D

58. The root mean square velocity of gas molecules is 10 km/s The gas is heated
till its pressure becomes four times. The velocity of gas molecules will be
U

(a) 10 Km/s (b) 20 Km/s

(c) 40 Km/s (d) 80 Km/s
ST

59. According to kinetic theory of gases at absolute zero

(a) Water freezes (b) Liquid helium freezes

(c) Molecular motion stops (d) All of the above are correct

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 301

 60. The quantity of heat required to raise one mole through 1 K for a monoatomic
gas at constant volume is
3 5 7 3 5 7
(a) R (b)
R R R R R
2 2 22 2 2
3 5 7
(c)
R R R (d) 4 R
2 2 2
61. Dimensional formula for universal gas constant R is given by

60
(a) [ML2T–2K–2] (b) [ML2T–3K–1]

(c) [M°L2T–3K–1] (d) [ML2T–2K–4]

E3
62. An ant is walking on the horizontal surface. The number of degrees of
freedom of ant will be

(a) 1 (b) 2

(c) 3

63. The specific heat of a gas

ID (d) 6
U
(a) has only two values Cp & Cv

(b) has a unique value of given temperature

YG

(c) can have any values from O to ∝

(d) depends upon the mass of the gas

64. 250 L of an ideal gas is heated at constant pressure from 27°C such that its
volume becomes 500 L. The final temperature is
D

(a) 54°C (b) 300°C

U

(c) 327°C (d) 600°C

Answer : (Objective Type Questions)
ST

45. (c) 46. (c) 47. (a) 48. (d) 49. (a) 50. (d)
51. (a) 52. (a) 53. (a) 54. (b) 55. (a) 56. (a)
57. (c) 58. (b) 59. (c) 60. (a) 61. (a) 62. (b)
63. (c) 64. (c)

302 Physics Class XI

 HINTS :
3RT1 3RT2 M1 2
45. ν1= M1
, ν 2=
M2
i.e. T1=
M2
T2 =
32
× 320= 20 k

3 3 K T K T 621×10−21
46. K1 = kT1 , K 2 = kT2 i.e. 1 = 1 ⇒ K 2 = 1 2 = × 500 = 10.35 ×10−21 J
2 2 K2 T2 T1 300
2 T2

60
 RT 
48. P2 V = constant ⇒  V = constant ⇒
V
constant.
 V 

1
50. γ = 1 +
f
1

E3
51. Po= ρC2 As ρ → halved and C is doubled then P=′ 2Po
3
54. C2 α T
PV
55. =R

P1
=
P2
⇒
P
=
ID
56. PV = RT here V = Constant therefore P α T. i.e. =
P + 0.4% of P
⇒ T = 250 K
P
T constant
U
T1 T2 T T +1
58. P α T
YG

dU 3
=
60. CV = and U RT
dT 2
64. V α T as P is constant.

****
D
U
ST

Kinetic Theory Of Gases 303