Kinetic Theory, States of Matter, and Diffusion

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from lecture notes on Kinetic Theory, States of Matter, and Diffusion.

Describe the properties of solids according to the Kinetic Theory.

Solids have a fixed volume and shape, high density, and their atoms vibrate in position but can't change location. Particles are closely packed in a regular pattern.

Describe the properties of liquids according to the Kinetic Theory.

Liquids have a fixed volume but adopt the shape of the container. They are generally less dense than solids but much denser than gases. Particles move and slide past each other, allowing them to flow.

Describe the properties of gases according to the Kinetic Theory.

Gases do not have a fixed volume and take up the shape of the container. They have a very low density and can be compressed. Particles are far apart and move randomly and quickly.

Describe the movement of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids vibrate about a fixed position, liquids move around each other, and gases move quickly in all directions.

Describe the closeness of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids are very close, liquids are close, and gases are far apart.

Describe the density of solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids have high density, liquids have medium density, and gases have low density.

Describe the energy of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids have low energy, liquids have greater energy, and gases have the highest energy.

What is melting?

Melting is when a solid changes into a liquid and requires heat energy.

What is freezing?

Freezing is when a liquid changes into a solid and requires a significant decrease in temperature.

What is boiling?

Boiling is when a liquid changes into a gas, forming bubbles below the surface, and occurs at a specific boiling point.

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is when a liquid changes into a gas over a range of temperatures, occurring only at the surface of liquids.

What is condensation?

Condensation occurs when a gas changes into a liquid on cooling, taking place over a range of temperatures as particles lose energy.

How does heating affect the particles of a substance?

When substances are heated, thermal energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing particles to vibrate more and spread out.

What is a cooling curve?

A cooling curve is like a heating curve but is the mirror image, showing how changes in temperature affect changes of state.

How does temperature affect the volume of a gas?

As temperature increases, gas volume increases; as temperature decreases, gas volume decreases.

How does pressure affect the volume of a gas?

If you decrease the volume of gas in a container, the pressure increases.

Where does the pressure in a gas come from?

Pressure is created by gaseous particles hitting the inside walls of the container.

How does temperature affect the movement of particles in a gas?

Increasing the temperature increases the kinetic energy of each particle and causes them to spread out and collide more frequently with the container walls.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion occurs in gases and liquids, where particles move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

How does temperature affect the rate of diffusion?

Diffusion happens faster at higher temperatures because the particles have more kinetic energy.

How does the relative molecular mass affect the rate of diffusion of a gas?

Gases with a lower relative molecular mass travel faster and further, while gases with a high relative molecular mass travel slower and do not travel as far.