Lesson 1
Kinetic Molecular
Theory of Matter
General Chemistry 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the
following:
● Explain the kinetic molecular theory of matter.
● Compare and contrast the different states of
matter based on the kinetic molecular theory.
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Have you ever bought an ice cream on a hot
summer day?
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If yes, then you
must have noticed
how ice cream,
when taken out of
the freezer, takes a
definite shape, but
when exposed in
the summer heat,
slowly loses its
form and melts. 4
In this lesson, you will be learning
about theories governing the
different states of matter. You will
learn the relationship of the
different macroscopic properties
of matter to that of its molecular
interactions.
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What does the kinetic
molecular theory state?
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
● The kinetic molecular theory of matter
provides an overview of the microscopic properties
of molecules or atoms and their interactions.
● It describes the microscopic properties of
matter and how they translate to the state and
other properties of matter.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
It states that
1. Matter is composed of small particles.
2. The molecules interact with one another
through attractive forces. The strength of these
forces is related to the distance between the
particles.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
It states that
3. These molecules are always in constant random
motion.
4. The temperature of a substance is a measure of
the average kinetic energy of the molecules.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
1. Matter Is Composed of Small Particles
Earlier atomic models 10
Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
Matter Is Composed of Small Particles
● Atoms are the building blocks of matter.
gold bar gold atoms
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
Matter Is Composed of Small Particles
● Matter can also exist as molecules.
drop of water water molecules
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
Matter Is Composed of Small Particles
● Matter can also exist as molecules.
table salt sodium and chloride ions
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
2. Molecules Interact through Attractive Forces
● The attractive forces between molecules are
known as the intermolecular forces.
● The stronger the interaction between two
molecules, the smaller their distance will be.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
Molecules Interact through Attractive Forces
solid liquid gas
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Solids
● Solids have particles with
strong intermolecular
forces such that their
particles are very close to
one another.
particles of solid
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Liquids
● Liquids have
intermediate
intermolecular forces.
This makes liquid
particles farther from
one another compared to
those in solids.
particles of liquid
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Gases
● Gases have particles that
are very far apart from
one another due to weak
intermolecular forces.
particles of gas
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
3. Molecules Are in Constant Random Motion
● All molecules are in constant random motion.
● The extent of their motion varies depending on the
temperature and strength of the interaction
between the particles.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
Nanoscale Representation of Matter
molecules in ice molecules in molecules in
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water steam
Solids
● Solids, due to their strong
intermolecular forces,
have restricted motion.
● The particles of solids are
only able to vibrate back
and forth around a specific
point or location.
particles of solid
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Liquids
● Liquids, having
intermediate
intermolecular forces, are
able to move past
each other.
● Since their particles are
still close to one another,
the motion is restricted
to small distances as
particles of liquid
they will collide with
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Gases
● Gases, having weak
intermolecular forces, are
able to move in
relatively long
distances before colliding
with another molecule.
● This happens because the
particles are very far apart
from one another. particles of gas
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Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter
4. Temperature Is a Measure of the Average KE
heat increases
KE increases
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● Recall that a higher temperature means a
higher average kinetic energy.
● This means that the particles will have enough
energy to move around faster.
● Increasing the temperature also weakens the
intermolecular forces of attraction.
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How does the kinetic
molecular theory explain
phase changes?
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Let’s take Water
as an example.
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Melting
● The molecules in ice
vibrates back and forth to
a specific location since it
is in the solid phase.
● Increasing the
temperature will provide
enough kinetic energy to
overcome their strong
intermolecular forces.
● The solid becomes a liquid
in a process called 28
Vaporization
● When liquid water is
heated, its particles are
able to move past one
another in relatively
longer distances.
● The process in which
liquid is converted to a
gas is called
vaporization.
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How can the kinetic
molecular theory explain
the properties of each
state of matter?
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Based on the kinetic molecular
theory of matter, the state of a matter
is determined by two factors—
temperature and strength of
intermolecular forces.
What are the differences
of states of matter
based on the kinetic
molecular theory.
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States of Matter
Matter can be described in terms of its physical state.
It can either be solid, liquid, or gas.
solid liquid gas
(ice) (water) (steam)
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States of Matter
State of Compressibili
Shape Volume
Matter ty
solid fixed shape fixed volume virtually
incompressible
liquid depends on fixed volume only slightly
compressible
the container
gas depends on assumes the volume very
compressible
the container of the container
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States of Matter
Particulate Drawings of Solid, Liquid, and Gas
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Let’s Sum It Up!
● The kinetic molecular theory states that:
○ Matter is composed of small particles.
○ The molecules interact with one another through
attractive forces. The strength of these forces is
related to the distance between the particles.
○ These molecules are always in constant random
motion.
○ The temperature of a substance is a measure of
the average kinetic energy of the molecules.
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Let’s Sum It Up!
● Solids have particles with strong
intermolecular forces that cause the
particles to be close together.
● This causes the particles’ motion to be
restricted to vibrations.
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Let’s Sum It Up!
● Liquids have particles with intermediate
intermolecular forces that cause the
particles to be farther apart from each
other than in solids.
● This allows the particles to move about
but in relatively short distances.
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Let’s Sum It Up!
● Gases have particles with negligible
intermolecular forces that cause the
particles to be very far apart from one
another.
● Due to the large distances between
particles, the molecules are able to move
in long distances. 39
Let’s Sum It Up!
● The average kinetic energy of the
molecules can be measured by
determining the temperature.
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Let’s Sum It Up!
● The physical state of matter is affected
by both kinetic energy and
intermolecular forces.
○ At low temperatures, intermolecular forces
dominate.
○ At high temperatures, the molecules have higher
kinetic energy and will be able to overcome the
intermolecular forces present.
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Challenge Yourself
Application of Kinetic Molecular
Theory in Real-Life.
- Modern Refrigeration
- Filling bike tires with air
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Bibliography
Brown T.L. et al. Chemistry: The Central Science. Pearson Prentice -Hall, 2005.
Boundless. “Kinetic Molecular Theory and Gas Laws.” Boundless Chemistry. Accessed August
12, 2016. https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-
textbook/gases-5/kinetic-molecular-the
Chang, Raymond, and Kenneth A. Goldsby. General Chemistry: the Essential Concepts. New
York: McGraw-Hill, 2014.
Petrucci, Ralph H. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. Toronto, Ont.:
Pearson Canada, 2011. Print.
Silberberg, Martin S. Principles of General Chemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013.
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