Q.Write any six postulates of kinetic theory of gases.
You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Kinetic theory models a gas as a swarm of tiny, randomly-moving, non-interacting, perfectly-elastic particles whose collisions with the container walls produce pressure.
The kinetic theory of gases is based on the following postulates:
-
A gas consists of a very large number of identical molecules (or atoms), which are treated as point masses (negligibly small compared to the distances between them).
-
The molecules are in a state of continuous, random motion, moving in all directions with a range of speeds, colliding with each other and with the walls of the container.
-
The actual volume occupied by the molecules themselves is negligible compared to the total volume of the gas (the container).
-
There is no force of attraction or repulsion between the molecules (or between molecules and the walls), except during the brief instant of a collision.
-
All collisions — between molecules, and between molecules and the walls of the container — are perfectly elastic; that is, kinetic energy is conserved in every collision, although individual molecular speeds may change.
-
Between collisions, the molecules travel in straight lines with constant velocity (Newton's first law applies, since no forces act except during collisions).
(Additional postulates sometimes listed: the time of collision is negligible compared to the time between successive collisions, and the average kinetic energy of the molecules is proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas — this is what gives temperature its molecular meaning.)
…
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.