RAFFLES INSTITUTION

PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

KINETIC PARTICLE MODEL

11 OF MATTER
Content  States of matter
 Brownian motion
 Kinetic particle model

Learning
Outcomes

11.1 Compare the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases

11.2 Use the kinetic particle model to describe the different states of matter (solids, liquids and
gases), relating their physical properties to the arrangement and motion of the particles (e.g.
molecules, atoms) and the forces and distances between particles
11.3 Infer from a Brownian motion experiment the evidence for the random movement of particles in a
liquid or a gas
11.4 Relate the change in temperature of a body to the change in average kinetic energy of all the
particles in the body
11.5 Explain the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its particles
11.6 Recall and explain the following relationships using the kinetic model (stating of the
corresponding gas laws is not required):
 a change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume is caused by a change in
temperature of gas
 a change in volume occupied by a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure is caused by a change
in temperature of the gas
 a change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature is caused by a change in
volume of the gas
11.7 Use the relationships in 11.6 in related situations and to solve problems (a qualitative treatment
would suffice)

11.1 Kinetic Particle Model of Matter

The Kinetic The kinetic particle model of matter states that

Particle Model  all matter is made up of a large number of tiny particles (e.g. molecules, atoms)
which are always in continuous random motion. These particles have positive or

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negative electric charges that may not be uniformly distributed. This allows them to
exert forces on one another.
 there are attractive forces pulling the particles together. We will learn in Topic 12
how this behaviour is crucial in allowing a change in state.
 as energy is transferred to these particles, they vibrate more vigorously. The sum of
the kinetic and potential energy stores of the model is called the internal energy
(internal store).

This model helps to explain the difference in physical properties of the three states of
matter, as well as how the pressure, volume, and temperature of a fixed mass of gas
are related to one another.

States of Matter The kinetic particle model of matter explains the properties of the states of matter in
relation to
 the arrangement of the particles
 the intermolecular distance between the particles
 the intermolecular forces between the particles
 the motions of the particles

model of a solid model of a liquid model of a gas

Properties of matter in different states:

Solid Liquid Gas

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Arrangement of
particles
Regular Irregular Irregular

Distance
Slightly larger than in a
between Very small Very large
particles solid

Intermolecular Slightly weaker than in a

forces
Very strong Negligible
solid

Motion of Vibrate about Slide over each other Move about freely in
particles fixed positions without fixed positions any direction

No fixed shape (takes the No fixed shape (takes

Shape Fixed shape
shape of container) the shape of container)

No fixed volume as
Volume Fixed volume Fixed volume gases are
compressible

Evidence of Diffusion
Kinetic Particle  Movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower
Model of Matter concentration.

air bromine
(colourless particles
gas)

lid reddish-brown
remove lid vapour spreads
throughout both gas
jars after some time

gas jar
gas jars
drops of reddish-brown
liquid vapour of
bromine bromine

Brownian Motion

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Procedure:
 The smoke cell is a transparent container in which some smoke from a
smouldering paper is enclosed.
 The smoke cell is brightly illuminated from the sides, and a microscope is used
to magnify and focus on the smoke particles.

Observations:
 The smoke particles are barely visible and they appear as bright specks of light
moving around in a random motion.
 The smoke particles rarely collide with one another, but they appear to be
knocked about by some other invisible particles in the smoke cell.
 The smaller the smoke particles, the more rapidly they move. Conversely, the
larger the smoke particles, the less agitated the motion.

random motion of bright

specks (particles)

Explanation:
 Air particles are moving randomly with different speeds and directions, and are
colliding into one another.
 The random motion of smoke particles is due to the air particles bombarding the
smoke particles randomly (not due to collisions between smoke particles).

solidparticle
pendedin

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Brownian motion is the random movement of particles suspended in a fluid (liquid or

gas) due to the uneven bombardment of the suspended particles by the fluid’s particles.
(The kinetic particle model of matter was proposed based on the observations of the
Brownian Motion.)

Effects of Higher Temperature on Molecular Motion in the Brownian Motion set-up:

 Energy is transferred to kinetic store of the air particles.
 The average kinetic energy of the air particles increases, i.e. the air particles
have a greater average speed.
 This results in the air particles bombarding the smoke particles with a greater
force and frequency.
 The motion of smoke particles becomes more vigorous and agitated, i.e. they
move faster and changes directions more often.

Questions 1. Why is Brownian motion not observed in solids?

The solidparticles OFibrateinfixedpositionsandhence

______________________________________________________________

exhibitrandanmotion
______________________________________________________________
cannot

2. How does (a) temperature and (b) mass of particles affect the particles’ motion
in Brownian motion?

Highertemperature results in higheraverage kineticenergy hence

(a) ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
higheraveragespeed
____________________________________________________________
(b) ____________________________________________________________
Highermass ofparticles results in loweraveragespeed
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3. A student did an experiment on Brownian motion and claimed that he observed

air particles moving randomly around under the microscope.
Comment on his statement.

Air
______________________________________________________________
particlescannotbeobserved astheyaretoosmallto beseenevenwith
microscope Heonlysaw smokeparticlesmovingin a randommotiondue to
a______________________________________________________________
collisionwith air particles

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11.2 Pressure, Volume and Temperature of a Fixed Mass of Gas

Pressure, Volume  Moving air particles collide with the wall of the container and exert a force on it.
and Temperature  Since pressure is the normal force exerted per unit area, we say that the air particles
on a Fixed Mass exert a pressure on the wall of the container.
of Gas  This pressure depends on the force of each collision and the frequency of collision
with the wall of the container.

tempt
voi Haredat
pressure forceand
frequaryof gas particle exerts a
cousins force on the wall and
thus produces gas
the wall exerts pressure
a force on the
gas particle

1. Pressure-Volume (P-V) relationship of a gas at constant temperature T

Consider the experimental set-up below. The pressure of the gas inside the syringe is
increased by slowly pushing the piston inwards to compress the gas. The reading of
the pressure gauge increases and shows that the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is
inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature (Boyle’s Law).

temp are spd

f constant
si
freqof decrease
Collision
When the volume of the container increases, the number of particles per unit volume
will decrease. Frequency of collisions between particles and walls decreases. Hence
pressure decreases.

P / Pa P / Pa

0 V / m3 0 1/V / m3
0
0 0
0

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2. Pressure-Temperature (P-T) relationship of a gas at constant Volume V

Consider a gas inside a fixed volume container with its temperature being increased
gradually (as shown below). The gas particles have greater average speeds at higher
temperatures. The gas particles will then make more frequent and forceful collisions
with the wall of the container. Hence pressure increases.

P / Pa

0 T/K
0
0
0

3. Volume-Temperature (V-T) relationship of a gas at constant pressure P

Consider the experimental set-up on the next page. When temperature increases, the
mercury marker moves up. This means that the volume of gas increases. When the gas
is heated, the gas particles move at higher average speeds. This results in more
frequent and forceful collisions between the gas particles and the walls of the container.
Hence, the pressure increases. To keep the pressure constant, the gas expands to
reduce the frequency of collision. Hence volume increases.

V / m3

0 T/K
0
0
0

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Note: (not in syllabus)

Ideal Gas The above three laws can be combined to form the Ideal Gas Law, which states that:
Equation
P V = n R T,
(Optional)
where n is the number of moles and R is the molar gas constant.

Example 11.1 A bubble was rising from the bottom of a pond. It experienced a pressure of
1.2 x 105 Pa at the bottom and 1.0 x 105 Pa at the surface of the pond. The initial volume
of air trapped in the bubble was 0.020 m3. Find the final volume of air trapped in the
bubble at the surface of the pond just before it popped. (Assume that the air trapped in
the bubble is insoluble in water and the temperature remains constant.)

Solution:
PV Pay
1.2 105 0.020 1.0 105 Vz

Supplementary Question 1:
questions
Describe the differences between the physical properties of solids and gases in terms
of distance between particles and arrangement of particles.

Distance between particles: ______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Arrangement of particles : _______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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Question 2:

Using the kinetic particle model of matter, explain why the smoke particles in a smoke
cell move faster at higher temperatures.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Question 3:

Using the kinetic particle model, explain why a gas exerts a pressure on the walls of its
container.

During random motion a th thewalls

____________________________________________________________________
gas
particle mayconi.de
of the container
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Question 4:

Using the kinetic particle model, explain how the gas pressure inside a rigid enclosed
container changes when the temperature decreases without a change in state.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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 The Science of fizzy drinks:
Researchers reveal why tapping a can will stop it exploding everywhere

By Christopher Arthur Edward Hamlett With The Conversation

Published: 21:29 GMT, 14 June 2016 | Updated: 21:40 GMT, 14 June 2016

It is one of the distinct sounds of summer: the noise of people tapping the tops of their cans of fizzy
drink before opening them. But does this widespread ritual really stop a can of beer or pop from
gushing over? Pictures illustrating the bubble formations upon opening a bottle of sparkling water
When you open a can of fizzy drink, the refreshing 'hiss' is the result of gas bubbles escaping from the
liquid as a result of a change in the solubility of the carbon dioxide (CO2) in it. The debate of tapping aside, the actual material that the container is made from may also reduce
gushing. It has been shown that the amount of foam formed when pouring beer into glasses of different
The solubility of CO2 in water reduces from 'wettabilities' – the extent to which water wets a material – can affect not only the amount of beer head
about 4.5g in one litre of water at 3 bar, to formed but also the size of the bubbles on the inside of the glass.
about 1.5g at atmospheric pressure, something This information is relevant
that is described by Henry's Law. Before the when such bubbles are
can is opened, microscopic gas bubbles attach thought to be the cause of
to the inside of it (nucleation). When the can is gushing.
opened, these bubbles increase in size, due to
the decrease in the solubility of CO2. Another important factor
When these bubbles reach a certain size they when it comes to the level of
detach from the inside of the can and rise up to the top of the can due to buoyancy and displace liquid gushing is the stabilisation of
in their path. the bubbles caused by the
As described earlier, the bubbles in an unopened can nucleate at the walls so tapping the can before presence of large particles in
opening could dislodge some of the bubbles, enabling them to float to the top of the liquid. the drink.
When a can is opened, the bubbles expand with those deeper within the liquid travelling further than This is why some beers have
those near the surface, displacing more of the drink and possibly resulting in greater amounts of long-lived foam heads
ejected liquid. compared to the short-lived
A 'tapped' can will have fewer of these 'deep' bubbles and so less liquid will be dislodged – and bubbles at the surface of,
possibly sprayed out – than an 'untapped' can. say, sparkling water.
Bubbles also can be dislodged from the side of the can with violent shaking, of course – but this
method introduces more turbulence which increases the energy of the system, resulting in more Url: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3641371/The-science-fizzy-drinks-Researchers-
bubbles in the drink and more spraying when opened. reveal-tapping-stop-exploding-everywhere.html