Mechanics &

Molecular Kinetic Theory

Contents

Mechanics

Molecular Kinetic Theory

Mechanics

Linear Motion:
speed (m/s) = distance (m)
time(s)
velocity (m/s) = displacement (m)
time (s)

(m/s)

acceleration (m/s2) = change in speed

time taken (s)

Mechanics

Distance vs. Time graph:

Mechanics

Speed vs. Time graph:

Mechanics

Forces and Vectors:

Examples:
- scalar = speed
- vector = velocity
direction)

(1 quantity no direction)
(2 quantities speed &

Other vector quantities:

- displacement
- momentum
- force

Vectors can be added to produce a resultant quantity

Mechanics

Adding vectors:

And again
=

And again
-

Mechanics

Angular mechanics:
Fx = F cos
Fy = F sin

Weight always faces

downwards
Force on road is
perpendicular to
motion

Mechanics

Projectiles:
- an object upon which the only force acting is
gravity
e.g. bullet
- once projected, its motion depends on its inertia
Initial velocity vectors:
Vx = Vcos Vy = Vsin
Flight time:
t = Viy/g
Displacement:
X = Vxt
Max. height:
Y = V t + gt2

Mechanics

Moments: have a direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise)

Moment = force perpendicular distance
(Nm) =
(N) x
(m)
clockwise moment = anti-clockwise moment (equilibrium)
- this is used to find the centre of gravity

Work = Force distance moved in the direction of the

force
(Nm or J) = (N)
x
(m)

- When work is done, energy is transferred

- Energy comes in many forms; some kinds of energy can
be stored, while others cannot
- Energy is always conserved

Mechanics

Power: rate at which energy is transferred

power (W) = energy (J) / time (secs)
energy (work done) = force x distance

So
power = (force x distance) / time
power = force x speed
P = Fv

(d/t = speed)

Mechanics

Energy: the ability to do work. When work is done,

energy is transferred
- Some kinds of energy can be stored, while others
cannot
- Energy in a system is always conserved

Potential Energy:
potential energy = weight distance moved against
gravity
(Nm)
= (N)
x (m)

Kinetic Energy:
kinetic energy = mass x velocity2
(J)
=
(kg) x (m/s2)

Heat Capacity

Heat capacity (c): quantity of heat required to raise

the temperature of a unit mass by 1K

Heat flow = m
(J)
= (kg)

c
(Jkg-1K-1)

delta T
(K)

Q = mc delta

specific latent heat: energy to change the state of a

unit mass of liquid without a temperature change
- fusion, or melting
- vaporisation, or boiling
delta Q = ml

Newtons Laws

Newtons 1st Law: An object continues in its state of

rest or uniform motion in a straight line, unless it has
an external force acting on it

Newtons 2nd Law: Rate of change of momentum is

proportional to the total force acting on a body, and
occurs in the direction of the force
F = ma

Newtons 3rd Law: If body A exerts a force on body B,

body B must exert an equal and opposite force on
body A

Collisions

Conservation of Momentum: Total momentum before

= total momentum after
Mu1 + mu2 = Mv1 + mv2

Conservation of Energy: Total energy before = total

energy after
Mu12 + mu22 = Mv12 + mv22

Elastic collisions: zero energy loss

Impulse = Force x time
(Ns) = (N) x (secs)

Ideal Gases
Robert Brown investigated the movement of gas
particles 1820s
Air particles (O2 and N2) too small
Observe the motion of smoke grains
Microscope
Glass box
Smoke grain
(speck of reflected light)
Light

Ideal Gases
Pick 1 grain & follow its movement
- Jerky, erratic movement due to
collisions with (the smaller) air
molecules

Microscope
Glass box
Smoke grain
(speck of reflected light)
Light

Ideal Gases
STP = standard temperature and pressure
T = 273K, p = 1 atm
Average speed of air molecules = 400ms-1
Pressure - in terms of movement of particles
Air molecule bounces around
inside, colliding with the
various surfaces
Each collision exerts
pressure on the box

If we have a box filled with gas:

We can measure:
Pressure (Nm-2)
Temperature (K)
Volume (m3)
Mass (kg)

Moles
In the periodic table:
8
6
Oxygen = O 16
Carbon = C 12

Helium = He 4
2

Mass number = bottom number = molar mass

Mass number = mass (g) of 1 mole of that substance
6.02x1023 particles in 1 mole
e.g. 1 mole of He has a mass of 4 grams
1 mole of O2 has a mass of 32 grams
Mass (g) = number of moles x molar mass

Boyles Law

Relates pressure & volume of the gas

If the gas is compressed:

volume decreases, pressure increases
So keeping everything else constant:
pV = constant
or
p 1/V
p

1/V

Charles Law

Relates temperature & volume of the gas

If the gas is compressed:

volume decreases, temperature decreases
So keeping everything else constant:
V/T = constant or
VT
V

-300

-200
0

100

-100
200

100
300

T (C)
400

T (K)

Pressure Law

Relates temperature & pressure of the gas

If the gas is heated:

temperature increases, pressure increases
So keeping everything else constant:
p/T = constant or
pT
p

T (K)

Ideal Gas Equation

The 3 gas laws can be written as a single equation
which relates the 4 properties mentioned earlier

pV = nRT
where R = universal gas constant = 8.31Jmol -1K-1

n, number of moles = mass (g) / molar mass (g mol-1)

e.g. how many moles are there in 1.6kg of oxygen?

molar mass of O2 = 32gmol-1
number of moles, n = 1600g/32gmol-1
= 50 mol

Summary

Vectors
Projectiles
Moments
Power, Energy & Work
Energy Changes
Heat Capacity
Newtons 3 Laws
Collisions
Molecular Kinetic Theory