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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
Kinetic theory of gases
1.Q:- Write down the basic assumptions of kinetic theory of gases .
i)All gases consist of molecules , which are similar for the same gas and differ
from the molecules of other gases.
ii)Molecules of the gas move in random motion, with velocities ranging from zero
to infinity.
iii)Molecules collide with each other. The collisions are instantaneous and perfectly
elastic in nature.
iv)In between two consecutive collision, they travel a path in straight line This
path is called free path and an average over a large no, of observations is called
mean free path.
v)They do not exert any force of attraction or repulsion upon each other.
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2.Q:- Find the pressure exerted by a gas contained in a definite volume .
Ans :- Let us consider a cube of side L , containing n molecules of perfect gas
moving randomly with velocities c1 , c2 , c3 …..
cn , such that
2 2 2 2
c1 = u1 + v1 + w1 ……………………………… (1)

Let a molecule having velocity c1 , collide

against the wall BCFG elastically , and rebound
with the same velocity in the opposite direction
to the face ADEH, in time t (= 2L /u1).
According to Newton’s 2nd law , force acting on
the gas molecule by the wall
2 2
Change in the momentum of the molecule (-mu 1 ) - (mu 1 ) = − 2mu1 = − mu1
f1= = 2L ……(1)
time taken 2L L
u1
According to Newton’s 3rd law , force acting on the wall by the gas molecule
 mu 1 2  mu 1 2
f 1′ = − f 1 = −  − =
'
 ………………..(2)
 L  L

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
2 2 2
mu 1 mu 2 mu n
So total force along X-axis , Fx = + + ........ + ………….(3)
L L L
Fx m 2 2
( 2
So pressure along X-axis, Px = 2 = 3 u 1 + u 2 + ........ + u n ………..(4)
L L
)
Similarly ,
Fym 2
pressure along Y-axis, Py =
L2
L3
= (
2 2
)
v1 + v2 + ........ + vn ………..(5)

pressure along Z-axis,

F
L
m 2
L
( 2 2
Pz = 2z = 3 w1 + w2 + ........ + wn ………..(6) )
so , average pressure is
Px + P y + Pz
P =
3
=> P =
m
3L 3
[( 2 2 2
) ( 2 2 2
) 2 2
(
u 1 + v 1 + . w 1 + u 2 + v 2 + w 2 + ...... + u n + v n + . w n
2
)]
=> P =
m
3L 3
[ 2 2
c1 + c 2 + c 3 2 ]
m × n  c1 + c 2 + c 3 2 
2 2
=> P =  
3 L3  n 
M
=> P = C 2 .......... .......... .........( 7 )
3V
This is the expression for pressure , where C is called root mean square(R.M.S)
velocity of the gas molecules

………………(8)
If ρ be the density of the gas molecules , then

1
=> P = ρ C 2 .......... .......... .........( 9 )
3
1 2 1 2
If V=1 => P = MC 2 = × MC 2 = K E .......... .......... .......( 10 )
3 3 2 3
So pressure of a gas is 2/3rd of it’s kinetic energy .

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
3.WHAT IS ROOT MEAN SQUARE (R.M.S.) VELOCITY?
The root mean square velocity of molecules is defined as the square root of the
average of the square of velocities of its molecules.
It c1, c2, c3 ........ cn be the velocities of the molecules of the gas, then r.m.s.

velocity

2 2 2
c1 + c 2 + ...... + c n 3PV 3RT 3P 3k B T
C= = = = =
M M ρ m

Q:- Find kinetic energy of 1 mole of a gas .

Answers –
From kinetic theory of gas , pressure of one gram mole of a gas,

1
PV = MC 2 ---- (i)
3
Again, from ideal gas equation for 1 mole of gas,
PV = RT --------- (ii)

1
(i) & (ii) => MC 2 = RT
3
2 1
=> × MC 2 = RT
3 2
1 3
=> MC 2 = RT
2 2
3
=> K E = RT
2
3
Thus K.E. of 1 mole of the gas is RT ,
2
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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
4.Q:- Find kinetic energy of 1 molecule of a gas .
From kinetic theory of gas , pressure of one gram mole of a gas,

1
PV = MC 2 ---- (i)
3
Again, from ideal gas equation for 1 mole of gas,
PV = RT --------- (ii)

1
(i) & (ii) => MC 2 = RT
3
2 1
=> × MC 2 = RT
3 2
1 3
=> m× NAC2 = RT , where NA =Avogadros number , m=mass of one gas molecule
2 2
1 3 R
=> m ×C2 = T
2 2 NA
3
=> K E = k BT
2
3
Thus K.E. of 1 molecule of a gas is k BT , kB = Boltzmann’s constant.
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5.Q:- Find the relation between R.M.S. velocity (C) & temperature T.
Ans-From kinetic theory of gas , pressure of one gram mole of a gas,

1
PV = MC 2 ---- (i)
3
Again, from ideal gas equation for 1 mole of gas,
PV = RT --------- (ii)

1
(i) & (ii) => MC 2 = RT
3
3
=> C2 = RT
M

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
=> C 2∞ T , R and M are constants

=> C∞ T ,
This shows that root mean square velocity of a gas is proportional to the square
root of its absolute temperature .
At T = 0, C = 0.
Thus absolute zero is the temperature at which the all the molecular translational
notion of a gas ceases.
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6.Q:- What is kinetic interpretation of temperature ?
From kinetic theory of gas , pressure of one gram mole of a gas,

1
PV = MC 2 ---- (i)
3
Again, from ideal gas equation for 1 mole of gas,
PV = RT --------- (ii)

1
(i) & (ii) => MC 2 = RT
3
1 3
=> m× NAC2 = RT , where NA =Avogadros number , m=mass of one gas molecule
2 2
1 3 R
=> m ×C2 = T
2 2 NA

=> K E∞T
Thus the mean kinetic energy of each molecule is proportional to the temperature.
When the temperature of a gas is increased the mean kinetic energy of the
molecules increases,
Thus, the kinetic energy manifests as the temperature of the gas. This is what is
called kinetic interpretation of temperature.
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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
7.Q:- Establish Dalton’s law of partial pressures from kinetic theory of
gases ?
Let us consider a mixture of non-reactive ideal gases, of n1 , n2 ………..nn number

of the gas molecules with C1,C2 ……………..Cn as the respective RMS velocities.

total pressure gets contribution from each gas in the mixture.

From kinetic theory of gas , we have

1
P=
3
( 2 2
n1m 1 C 1 + n 2 m 2 C 2 + .......... ....... + n n m n C n
2
) ………………………..(1)
In equilibrium, the average kinetic energy of the molecules of different gases will

be equal.

1 2 1 2 1 2 3
That is, m 1 C 1 = m 2 C 2 = .......... .. = m n C n = k BT …………………….(2)
2 2 2 2

so that P = (n1 + n 2 + .......... ....... + n n )k BT ……………………(3)

which is Dalton’s law of partial pressures.

8.Q- What is Degree of freedom of a gas?

The number of independent quantity required to destroy the state or position of a
system is known as degree of freedom.
For mono-atomic gas like He , Ne , Ar , its degree of freedom is 3 because it can
have three transitional motion along X-axis , Y-axis , and Z-axis.
For diatomic gas like H2, O2 which contain to atom joined rigidly to one another

along with three transitional motion it can have two rotational motion. So, its
degree of freedom is five .
For tri-atomic gas molecules like CO2, SO2 there are six possible motions, three
transitional and three rotational. Hence, degree of freedom will be six .

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
9.Q. State and prove the law of equipartition of energy .
Ans :- In any dynamical system in thermal equilibrium the total energy is divided
equally among all the degrees of freedom and energy associated with each degree
of freedom is ½kT.
Let us consider a monoatomic gas molecule moving randomly with velocity c.
If u, v , w be the rectangular component of c,
then u = v = w [ it has no preference of direction]

=> u2 = v2 = w2

=> ½ mu2 = ½ mv2 = ½ mw2 = e (say)

From the kinetic theory of gas, energy of monoatomic gas molecule,
E = 3/2 kT ………………..(1)
Total energy along the three axes , E = e + e + e = 3e ……………….. (2)
3
(1) and (2) => 3e = /2 kT
e = ½ kT
So, energy along each degrees of freedom is ½kT.
10.Q.Define specific heat of a gas at constant volume and constant pressure.
Ans :-

cv (Specific heat at constant volume ) :- It is the amount of heat required to raise

the temperature of 1 gram of a gas by 10C at constant volume .

Cv (Molar specific heat at constant volume ) :- It is the amount of heat required

to raise the temperature of 1 mole of a gas by 10C at constant volume.

cP (specific heat at constant pressure):- It is the amount of heat required to raise

the temperature of 1gram of a gas by 10C at constant pressure.

Cp (Molar specific heat at constant pressure) :- It is the amount of heat required

to raise the temperature of 1 mole a gas by 10 C at constant pressure.

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
11.Q.Why specific heat at constant pressure I greater than constant

volume ?

Ans:-While heating a gas at constant volume, all the heat supplied used up in

increasing the temperature by a definite amount(=Q1) .

While heating the gas at constant pressure for same amount of rise in temperature

, along with the rise in temperature , volume will also being increased , i.e. work

will be done by gas , for which energy is required .

So heat given at constant pressure(=Q2) will be used up in two parts :-

1) To increase the temperature of the gas by the same definite amount (=Q1).

2) In doing the external work due to expansion of the gas (=W) .

Thus , Q2 = Q1 + W

So , Q2 > Q1

Hence , CP > CV

12.Q.Prove that C p –C v =R
Ans :- Let us consider 1 mole of a gas at pressure (P) and volume (V) contained

in a cylinder fitted with a frictionless piston of cross-sectional area, A of the

piston.

Let the gas be heated at constant volume that its temperature is increased by

amount dT.

Amount of heat given . dQ1 = 1 x Cv x dT = CvdT ……………………… (1)

where Cv is molar specific heat at constant volume.

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
Let the gas be heated at constant pressure so that the piston move outward by a

small distance ‘dx’ The amount of heat given for the raise of temperature dT.

dQ2 = 1 x C p x dT = CpdT………………………………. (2)

where Cp is molar specific heat at constant pressure.

Work done by the gas during expansion ,

dW = Fdx = PAdx = PdV ……………………(3)

So heat given at constant pressure(=dQ2) will be used up in two parts :-

1) To increase the temperature of the gas by the same definite amount (=dQ1).

2) In doing the external work due to expansion of the gas (=dW) .

dQ2 = dQ1 + dW

=> CPdT = CVdT + PdV ………………….(4)

Differentiating the gas equilibrium at constant pressure ,

PV = RT => PdV = RdT ……………………..(5)

(4) => CPdT = CVdT + RdT

=> CP = CV + R => CP – CV = R ………………………………………. (6)

13. Q:- What is γ ?

γ =It is the ratio of specific heat at constant pressure to that at constant volume .

CP
γ=
CV
For monoatomic gas , γ= 1.67
For diatomic gas , γ= 1.4
For triatomic gas , γ= 1.33

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
2
14.Q:- Prove that , γ = 1+
n
Let us consider a gas of n degrees of freedom
we know , Energy of a gas molecule / degree of freedom = ½ k T
n
Energy of a n gas molecule / degree of freedom = /2 k T
Energy of 1 mole of the gas = n/2 k NT = n
/2 RT
dE n
We know , CV = = /2 R ………………………(1)
dT
Cp = Cv + R = n/2 R + R = (n/2 +1)R

 n
1 +  R
CP  2  2
γ= = = 1+
CV n n
R
2
2
=> γ = 1 +
n
15.Q:- Prove that γ = 1.67 for mono atomic gas .
Let us consider a monoatomic gas , whose degrees of freedom is 3

From the principle of equipartition of energy ,

3
Energy of an monoatomic gas molecule / degree of freedom = /2 k T

Energy of 1 mole of the gas = 3/2 k NT = 3

/2 RT

dE 3
We know , CV = = /2 R ………………………(1)
dT

Cp = Cv + R = 3/2 R + R = (3/2 +1)= 5/2 R

5
R
CP 2 5
So , γ = C = 3 = = 1.67
3
V R
2

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
16.Q:- Find γ for mono , di and tri-atomic gases .

(i) Mono-atomic gas - A mono-atomic molecule has three degrees of freedom .

Energy associated with 1 gram mole of the gas, -

E = ½ kT x 3 x N = 3/2RT.

CV= dE/dT = 3/2R

CP = CV +R = 5/2R

So, γ = CP/CV = 5/3 = 1.67

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/2 (ii) Di-atomic gas - A di-atomic molecule has five degrees of freedom .

Energy associated with 1 gram mole of the gas, -

E = ½ kT x 5 x N = 5/2RT.

CV= dE/dT = 5/2R

CP = CV +R = 7/2R

So, γ = CP/CV = 7/5 = 1.4

(iii) Tri-atomic gas - A tri-atomic molecule has six degrees of freedom .

Energy associated with 1 gram mole of the gas, -

E = ½ kT x 6 x N = 3RT.

CV= dE/dT = 3R

CP = CV +R = 4R

So, γ = CP/CV = 4/3 = 1.33

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NCERT-XI / Unit- 13 / Kinetic theory of gases
17.Q.What is MEAN FREE PATH?

If n is the number of molecules per

unit volume, the molecule suffers

nπd2v∆t collisions in time ∆t.

Thus the rate of collisions is nπd2v

or the time between two successive

collisions is on the average,

τ = 1/ nπd2v∆t

The average distance between two successive collisions,called the mean free path.

So mean free path =v τ = 1/ nπd2∆t

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