5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)

TOPIC EIGHT
KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER
SUBJECT CONTENT
- States of Matter
- Brownian Motion
- Kinetic Model

LEARNING OUTCOMES
a) Compare the properties of solids, liquids and gases
b) Describe qualitatively the molecular structure of solids, liquids and
gases, relating their properties to the forces and distances between
molecules and to the motion of the molecules
c) Infer from Brownian motion experiments the evidence for the
movement of molecules
d) Describe the relationship between the motion of molecules and
temperature
e) Explain the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules
f) Recall and explain the following relationships using the kinetic model
(stating of the corresponding gas laws is not required):
i.
A change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant
volume is caused by a change in temperature of the gas
ii.
A change in volume occupied by a fixed mass of gas at
constant pressure is caused by a change in temperature of
the gas
iii.
A change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant
temperature is caused by a change in volume of the gas
g) Use the relationships in (f) in related situations and to solve
problems (a qualitative treatment would suffice)

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)
TOPIC EIGHT: KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER

A
Brownian Motion
The Brownian Motion is the continuous haphazard motion of particles, such as, that of smoke particles in a smoke cell.

The random motion of smoke particles is due to unbalanced forces acting on

smoke particles when air molecules collide.
From the observations made in the Brownian Motion, the kinetic model of matter was proposed. A few inferences were made:
Observation
Diagram
Inference(s)
Random motion of smoke particles
At any instant, different air molecules are moving with different
velocities.
Diagram of microscope

Observations through microscope

Irregular motion of a smoke particle

Air molecules collide with each other

Separation between air molecules is large and not constant.

At higher temperatures, the motion of the smoke particles is observed to be more vigorous. This leads to the conclusion that the air molecules
move faster at a higher temperature.
C

Kinetic Model/ The States of Matter

Source: Effective Guide to O Level Physics 2 nd Edition, Pearson Longman South Asia Pte Ltd, 2007, Poh Liong Yong

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)
TOPIC EIGHT: KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER

Everything around us is made of matter. Anything that has volume and mass is matter.
There are three states of matter: Solid, Liquid and Gas.
The characteristics of each of these 3 states can be explained by the kinetic model of matter.
The kinetic model of matter states that:
Matter is made up of a large number of particles such as atoms and molecules
The particles are in constant motion
The particles attract and repel each other
The particles have kinetic and potential energy
- The table shows the various aspects of solids, liquids and gases from the kinetic model perspective.
Solid
Liquid
Diagram

Structure

Fixed Shape, Crystalline Structure

The well defined shape and smooth surface of a
crystal provides evidence.

Arrangement

Volume
Surface

Atoms are arranged close together in a regular

pattern
Highly uncompressible & unstretchable
This proves that strong repulsive & attractive
forces exist in the solid
Fixed
Has surfaces all round

Motion of
Particles

Atoms vibrate about their individual mean

positions

Malleability

Gas

Not Fixed (same as container)

This shows that the attractive forces between
liquid molecules are weaker as compared to the
solid molecules
Molecules are close together but not arranged in a
regular pattern
Not Compressible
Due to the repulsive force between molecules

Not Fixed (same as container)

This shows that the forces between gas molecules
are negligible.

Fixed
Has a definite surface at top (except liquid
droplets)
Molecules move about in a random manner

Not Fixed (same as container)

None

Molecules are far apart

Highly Compressible
Due to large separation between molecules

Molecules move randomly at high speeds colliding

elastically into each other and the walls of the
container

Source: Effective Guide to O Level Physics 2 nd Edition, Pearson Longman South Asia Pte Ltd, 2007, Poh Liong Yong

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)
TOPIC EIGHT: KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER

Force
between
Particles
Energy of
Particles
Action of
heat

Strong attractive and repulsive forces between

atoms

Weaker attractive and repulsive forces compared

to forces between atoms in a solid

Negligible, except during collisions

Atoms have kinetic energy and potential energy

Higher kinetic and potential energy

Zero potential energy and very high kinetic energy

Others

D
-

The kinetic energy of the particles

increases. The particles vibrate more
vigorously and the amplitude of vibration
increases, so the temperature increases
The potential energy of the particles
increases as the separation between
them increases.

When heated, molecules vibrate and

move about more vigorously. Thus, the
liquid expands but only slightly
Kinetic and Potential energies also
increase

Kinetic energy of gas molecules

increases, hence speed of gas molecules
increases

Higher density than liquids

Implies that liquid molecules are closer to each
other
Pressure of a Gas
The volume, pressure and temperature of a gas describe the physical conditions of a gas.
Changes in the condition of a gas can be explained using the kinetic model
The pressure of a gas is due to the elastic collisions of the gas molecules with the walls of the container
When a gas molecule collides with the wall of a container, a force is exerted on the wall.
The magnitude of this force increases if:
The speed of the molecule is greater
More molecules collides with the wall per unit time
F
The pressure on the wall is the normal force per unit area on it (P = A)
When a fixed mass of gas at constant volume is heated, both its temperature and pressure increase because:
The kinetic energy of gas molecules increases. Hence the speed of the gas molecules increase
The rate of collision of the gas molecules with the walls of the containers increase
The gas molecules knock harder on the walls
When a fixed mass of gas is heated at constant pressure, both its temperature and volume increases
As shown in Figure 2(a) below, the initial pressure on the piston due to the collision of the gas molecules equals the external pressure.

Source: Effective Guide to O Level Physics 2 nd Edition, Pearson Longman South Asia Pte Ltd, 2007, Poh Liong Yong

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)
TOPIC EIGHT: KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER

According to the kinetic model, when the temperature of the gas increases at constant pressure:
The kinetic energy of the gas molecules increases
The force on the piston due to the collisions of the air molecules increases
The piston is pushed out until the pressure on the piston equals the external pressure which is constant
Hence, the volume of the gas increases
When a fixed mass of gas is compressed at constant temperature, its pressure would increase

When the volume of the gas is reduced:

The area of the walls of the container decreases
The number of gas molecules per unit volume increases
The rate of collision of gas molecules with unit area of the walls of the container increases
Hence, the pressure increases
For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the volume of the gas is inversely proportional to that of the pressure of the gas:

Source: Effective Guide to O Level Physics 2 nd Edition, Pearson Longman South Asia Pte Ltd, 2007, Poh Liong Yong

5058 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH SPA)

5057 PHYSICS (NEW PAPERS WITH PRACTICAL EXAM)
TOPIC EIGHT: KINETIC MODEL OF MATTER

1
V

WORKED EXAMPLE
A kinetic model of a gas is shown in the figure. The gas molecules are represented by marbles in a tray which is agitated on a
horizontal table.

a) Compare the size of the gas molecules with the distance between gas molecules
The size of the gas molecules is very small compared to the distance between them.
b) Mark with arrows to show the directions of motion of the gas molecules at a particular instant

c) Describe what happens to the gas molecules during the motion

The gas molecules collide with each other and with the walls of the container
d) To demonstrate the motion of the gas molecules at a higher temperature, the tray is agitated more vigorously. Describe the
change in the motion of the gas molecules
The gas molecules move faster and collide more frequently with greater force with the walls of the container
e) Hence explain the increase in pressure of a gas at constant volume when the temperature increases
The pressure increases because the speed of gas molecules increases, the collision of gas molecules with the walls is more frequent and the
contact area is lesser.

Source: Effective Guide to O Level Physics 2 nd Edition, Pearson Longman South Asia Pte Ltd, 2007, Poh Liong Yong