Kinetic Theory & Ideal Gas Lab

Kinetic Theory of Gases

This model describes a gas as a large number of submicroscopic particles (atoms or molecules), all of which are in constant, rapid, random motion. The pressure a gas exerts is due to the force of these particles colliding with the walls of the container. The temperature of the gas is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles.

Explore the Ideal Gas Law

• Use the slider to increase the temperature and watch the particles speed up.
• Add or remove particles to change the amount of gas (moles) in the container.
• Click and drag the piston to change the container's volume.
• Observe how these changes affect the pressure gauge on the right.
• **Listen closely!** The "hiss" of particle collisions changes with temperature and pressure, and you'll hear the piston move.