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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Kinetic Model of Matter

Test Yourself 9.1 & 9.2 (page 158)

1. In solids, the particles (atoms or molecules) are closely packed. In gases, the particles are far
apart. Since density is defined as the mass per unit volume, solids have higher density than gases
as there are many more particles packed closely together per unit volume compared to gases.

2. (a) Brownian motion refers to the observed random and irregular motion of particles in a fluid.
(b) As temperature is increased, the smoke particles will move faster (the movements will
become more vigorous and agitated).
(c) The larger smoke particles would move with slower speeds due to a larger inertia.

Test Yourself 9.3 (page 163)

1. (a) According to the kinetic model of matter, the air molecules in the container are in continuous
motion. When the air molecules hit the walls of the container, they exert forces on the wall.
Since pressure is the average force per unit area, the air molecules exert pressure on the
walls of the container.
(b) As more air is pumped into the tyre, more air molecules are introduced into the tyre. At the
same temperature and volume, there will be more air molecules colliding with the walls of the
tyre. Since the frequency of collision is increased, the average force exerted on the wall per
unit area is also increased and hence the pressure is increased.

2. Heating (increasing the temperature of) a gas results in the gas molecules moving with higher
speeds (possessing higher kinetic energies). If volume does not change, the gas molecules would
collide more violently and frequently with the walls of the container, which would increase the
pressure of the gas. Thus in order to maintain a constant pressure, the gas molecules move further
apart, resulting in an increase in volume.

3.

Get It Right (page 165)

(a) True
(b) False
Smoke particles move randomly because air molecules are constantly bombarding them.
(c) True
(d) True
(e) (i) True
(ii) True
(iii) False
The pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature is inversely proportional to
its volume.
(f) True

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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 9

Lets Review (pages 165166)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. D
Liquid molecules rotate and vibrate randomly within the liquid whereas gas molecules move
randomly at much higher speeds, throughout its container.

2. C
If air temperature is decreased, the air molecules have lower kinetic energies and therefore move
at lower speeds. Since they are moving at lower speeds, they collide less frequently and less
forcefully with the smoke molecules. This causes the movements of the smoke particles to slow
down.

3. B
When a gas molecule hits the wall of a container, it exerts a force on the wall. The average force
on the wall per unit area is the gas pressure on the wall.

4. B
When the gas is heated, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules increase and therefore the
average speed of the molecules increase. They collide more frequently with the walls of the
container and hence, the gas pressure increases. Their average distance apart remains constant
because the number of molecules and the volume containing the molecules remain unchanged.

5. C
Since the number of molecules and the volume containing the molecules remain unchanged, the
number of molecules per unit volume remains unchanged.

6. C
Placing the flask in melting ice cools the gas inside the flask. As the gas is cooled down, the kinetic
energies of the gas molecules decrease and therefore the gas molecules move slower (decreased
speeds). They collide less frequently and less forcefully with the wall of the flask, thus the gas
pressure decreases.

7. D
When the gas is heated, the kinetic energies of the gas molecules increase and the molecules
move faster. The gas molecules collide more frequently and more forcefully with walls of the
container, resulting in an increased outward force. This leads to the expansion of the gas (i.e.
volume of gas increases), and hence the lowering of the gas pressure. The average distance apart
increases because the number of molecules remains constant while the volume increases.

Section B: Structured Questions

1. (a) Microscopic particles (either bright sparks of light in air or tiny particles suspended in liquid)
that are in continuous, random motion.
(b) The particle suspended in the fluid must have an inertia that is small enough to be accelerated
by the forces of collision of the fluid molecules. Since particles with the required small inertias
are too small to be seen by the naked eye, a microscope is needed.
(c) The kinetic model of matter describes matter as being made up of tiny molecules or atoms
that are in continuous motion. The random motion of the microscopic particles shows that the
particles are randomly bombarded, with unequal forces, on all sides by the fluid molecules (in
which the particles are suspended in). Hence, providing evidence that the fluid molecules are
in random and continuous motion.

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Physics Matters for GCE O Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 9

2. (a) The trapped air molecules in the barrel are in continuous motion and they collide with the
inner wall of the pump. At any one time, there are numerous collisions taking place. As these
molecules collide with the wall, they exert a force on the wall. The average force acting per
unit area is the pressure exerted by the air on the wall. Since the washer is exposed to the
trapped air, like the wall of the pump, it also experiences a pressure by the air molecules.
(b) When the handle is slowly pushed in, the volume of the trapped air is reduced. Since the
mass of the gas is fixed, the number of air molecules per unit volume increases. The air
molecules collide more frequently with the wall (more collisions per unit time), and hence the
force acting per unit area increases. Therefore, the pressure increases.

Section C: Free-Response Questions

1. (a) The molecules in solids vibrate about fixed positions.

The molecules in liquids move about within the liquid.
The molecules in gases move about randomly and at high speeds.
(b) The strength of intermolecular forces between the particles in solids is strong.
The strength of intermolecular forces between the particles in liquids is weak.
The strength of intermolecular forces between the particles in gases is very weak.
(c) In solids, the intermolecular force of the particles is strong. The molecules are bonded closely
together and occupy minimal space. The strong bonds between the molecules limit the
movements of the molecules (they only vibrate about fixed positions) and therefore solids
have fixed volumes and shapes.

In liquids, the intermolecular force of the particles is weak. The molecules are free to move
about within the liquid. This gives liquids fixed volumes but not fixed shapes. The weak bonds
are not able to pull the molecules very close together and therefore liquid occupies a bigger
volume than solid.

In gases, the intermolecular force of the particles is negligible. The molecules are free to move
about at high speeds. Since the molecules move freely, the molecules can occupy any volume
and take any shape. Gases do not have fixed shapes or volumes.

2. (a) The kinetic theory of matter states that the particles that make up matter are in a state of
continuous motion. This means that the air in the tyre consists of many air molecules that are
in continuous motion. Since air is a type of gas, the air molecules in the tyre move freely with
great speeds. The collision of these molecules with the wall of the tyre produces a force on
the wall of the tyre. The force per unit area, exerted by the air molecules in the tyre, is the air
pressure.
(b) The pressure is equal at all points on the inside wall of the tyre because the number of the air
molecules per unit volume is the same throughout the tyre and the air molecules are in
random motion. There is no preferred direction in which the molecules move and therefore
there will be as many molecules colliding with one part of the wall, as there will be for other
parts.
(c) (i) If the temperature is increased, the air molecules in the tyre will gain kinetic energy and
move faster. The frequency of collisions between the molecules and the walls of the tyre
will increase, leading to an increase in pressure.
(ii) If air is pumped into the tyre, while maintaining a constant temperature and volume, the
number of molecules occupying the tyre is increased. This means that the number of
molecules colliding with the wall of the tyre per unit time also increases. This leads to an
increase in pressure.

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