3.5 Kinetic Molecular Theory

Explain the relationship between the motion of particles and the macroscopic properties of gases with: i. The kinetic molecular theory (KMT). ii. A particulate model. iii. A graphical representation.

• The kinetic molecular theory (KMT) relates the macroscopic properties of gases to motions of the particles in the gas. The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution describes the distribution of the kinetic energies of particles at a given temperature.
• All the particles in a sample of matter are in continuous, random motion. The average kinetic energy of a particle is related to its average velocity by the equation: EQN: KE = ½ mv2.
• The Kelvin temperature of a sample of matter is proportional to the average kinetic energy of the particles in the sample.
• The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution provides a graphical representation of the energies/ velocities of particles at a given temperature.