Kinetic Theory of Gases

Concept of Ideal Gas

An ideal gas is a gas which obeys ideal gas equation PV = RT for

one mole of gas and PV = nRT for n mole, under all conditions of
temperature and Pressure. P and V are the pressure and volume of the
gas, T is its absolute temperature and R is universal gas constant.
Molecules of the ideal gas are very small. So, they are mere point
masses. They are so rare that they cannot exert any force on each
other. Ideal gas is a hypothetical concept or no such gas exists in
nature. However, all practical gases like oxygen, hydrogen, etc.
behave like ideal gas at low pressure and high temperature.
Entire theory of gases is based on the following assumptions:

1. Small Volume

A gas consists of large number of very small, tiny, elastic and

light weight particles, called ‘Molecules’. At N.T.P., 1cc volume of gas
may contain 2 × 10 9 number of molecules. But, actual volume
occupied by the gas molecules. But, actual volume occupied by the
gas molecules is very less as compared to total volume of the gas.

2. Random motion

The molecules of the gas are always in the state of random

motion. They constantly move in all possible directions with all
possible velocities. So, the gas is always in a state of molecular chaos.
3. Elastic Spheres

The molecules are rigid and perfectly elastic spheres of very

small diameters of order of 10-10m.

4. Collisions

The molecules of gas constantly collide with each other and with
the walls of the container. Every collision is perfectly elastic i.e. both
momentum and K.E. are conserved.

5. Energy

The average K.E. of the gases is directly proportional to the

absolute temperature of the gas. At constant temperature, molecules
of all the gases possess same average K.E.

6. Path of molecules

Between two successive collisions. Molecules travel along a

straight line path, with constant velocity. The distance covered by a
molecule between two successive collisions is called ‘free path’ the
average distance covered by a molecule between two successive
collisions is called. Mean ‘Free Path’ ( λ )
Total distance travelled
total number of collisions
7. Time of collision

The time of actual collision is much less than the time between
two collisions.

8. Identical molecules

All the molecules of same gas are identical in all respect

(physical, chemical and electrical characteristics) But, the molecules of
different gases differ in these characteristics.

9. Force

The gas molecules are so rare that they cannot exert any force
on each other. Hence, there cannot be any interaction between them
and hence, gases possess no potential energy So, whatever energy the
gases possess, is solely in kinetic form.

10. Number of molecules

Though gas molecules are in random motion, the total number

of gas molecules per unit volume of gas is constant.
Important Point

1. An ideal gas obeys the ideal gas equation,

m
PV nRT RT
M
m Total mass
Where n=number of moles of the gas and
M Molecular mass
R is called the universal gas constant.
R=8.314J/mol K or R=2.0cal/mol K

2. The mean free path

Total distance travelled
Total number of collisions N
1 KT
It is given by 2
and 2
2 n 2 P
Where n=number of molecules/cc and σ=molecular diameter
1 1 1
Thus, (i) T (ii) (iii) (iv)
2
n P
At high altitudes p is very less, hence is considerably increased.
Collision frequency is the number of collisions / sec and it is
given by
c
f where c is the average speed .

c
f
3. If a gas contain N molecules and if C1, C2, C3…….CN are the
speeds of different molecules, then average (mean speed)
C1 C2....... CN
(C)
N
Mean square speed
2 C12 C22....... CN2
(C )
N
Root mean square (R.M.S.) speed
2 C12 C22 ...... CN2
(C) C
N

4. Pressure Exerted by a Gas:

1 mNC2 1 MC2 1 2
P dC
3 V 3 V 3
Where m=mass of each molecule.
N= Total number of molecules in volume V of the gas.
C= R.M.S. speed (velocity) of the gas molecules
M=mN=Total mass of the gas.
M mN
d density of the gas
V V

5. If M is the molecular weight of the gas, then

M PM P 1
d
V RT RT V
6. The r.m.s. speed (C) of the gas molecules is given by
3P 3RT 3RT 3KT 3PV
C
d M N0m m M

Where R= universal gas constant

N0=Avogadro’s number
R
K Boltzmann constant
N0

T = Absolute temperature of the gas

7. The average kinetic energy of a gas molecule is given by:

1 3 3 R
mC2 KT T
2 2 2 No
3
K.E. per unit volume of the gas P
2
3 RT 3 P
K.E. per unit mass of the gas=
2 M 2 d
3RT
K.E. per mole of the gas=
2
3 RT
Average K .E.per molecule
2 N

8. One kilomole of a gas occupies 22400 liters or 22.4 m3 at N.T.P.

No. of molecules per unit volume of a gas is given by:
N 3P 3PNo
V mC2 MC2
Mass of one mole of any gas = its molecular weight expressed in
gram.
mass m
no.of moles n
molecular weight M
9. Boyle’s Law:
At constant temperature, the volume occupied by a given
mass of an ideal gas is inversely proportional to its pressure
1
V or PV constant at constant tempreature , for a given
P
(fixed) mass of the gas. The product PV has the dimensions of
energy. Hence PV=constant, implies that the energy of the gas
remains constant at constant T.

Important points on Specific Heat

1. First law of thermodynamics, dQ=dU + dW = dU + PdV, where

dQ = the quantity of heat supplied to the system
dU = increase in the internal energy of the system
dW = external work done by the system
In this equation, all quantities are measured in the same units
i.e. either heat units or work units.
If dQ is measured in calories or Kcal and dU and dW are
measured in joule (unit of energy), then
JdQ = dU + dW
Where J is the mechanical equivalent of heat J = 4.2 J /cal or
4200 J / Kcal
 1 dQ
2. Specific Heat S
m dT
J Kcal
It is measured in or
Kg K Kg K
Principal specific heat of a gas at constant pressure
1 dQ
cp
m dT p

1 dQ du pdv
Similarly cv
m dT v mdT

The principal specific, heats correspond to unit mass of the gas.

In isothermal changes, dT = 0 ∴S=∞.
In adiabatic changes, S=0.

3. In molar specific heats, we consider one mole of the gas instead

of unit mass.
J
S.I.unit of molar sp.heat is
Kmole K
The molar sp. Heat=Molecular weight × principal specific heat
∴ Cp=M cp and Cv=Mcv
R
Mayer’s relation : Cp Cv
J
Where Cp and Cv are the molar specific heats
R r k
Cp Cv r
JM J M
Cp
The ratio is called adiabatic constant.
Cv

4. Latent Heat (L): It is the quantity of heat required to change the

state of unit mass of the substance, without changing its
temperature.
Unit: joule/kg or kcal/kg
5. L Li Le Li PdV Li P(V2 V1)
PdV
or L Li
J

KT
6. 2
2 P

∵ K = Boltzman constant
T = Absolute temperature
σ = Molecular diameter
P = Pressure
As σ for oxygen is more λ is less.

Solved Examples

1. You are given two vessels A and B of equal volumes. A is filled

with Hydrogen and B is filled with Oxygen. If λH and λO denote
the mean free paths of Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules and if
the pressures and temperatures of A and B are equal then
(a) λH> λO (b) λH< λO
(c) λH= λO (d) λH may be more or less than λO
Solution:
At constant P and T,
H 0
2. The temperature of a gas is due to
(a) Attractive force between its molecules
(b) Kinetic energy of its molecules
(c) Potential energy of its molecules
(d) Repulsive force between its molecules
Solution:
The temperature of a gas is due to the kinetic energy of its
molecules. Temperature is a function of its K.E.

3. V is the rms velocity of the molecules of a gas at pressure p. If

the pressure of the gas is doubled, then the rms velocity will be
(a) 0.5 V (b) 2 V (c) 3 V (d) V
Solution:
The change in pressure does not affect the velocity. Hence the
rms velocity will be V.

4. There are N molecules of a gas in a box. If the number of

molecules is increased to 2 N, then the r.m.s. speed of the
molecules will
(a) Increase (b) Decrease (c) Not change (d) Be halved
Solution:
The rms speed of the molecules will not change.

5. The root mean square velocity of the molecules of a gas is200

m/s. What will be the rms velocity of the molecules if the atomic
weight is doubled and the absolute temperature is halved?
(a) 50m/s (b) 100 m/s (c) 200 m/s (d) 300 m/s
Solution:
The r.m.s. velocity of the molecules of the gas is given by
 3RT
C1
M
T
3R
2 1 3RT 1
C2 C
2M 2 M 2 1
C1 200
C2 100 m/ s
2 2

6. Molecular weight of oxygen is 32 and that of hydrogen is 2. The

ratio of rms velocity of hydrogen molecule at 400K to rms
velocity of oxygen molecule at 900K is given by
2 5 8 10
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 3 3 3
Solution:
The r.m.s. velocity the gas molecules is given by
3RT
C
M
CH 3RTH M0
CO MH 3RT0

M0 TH
MH T0

32 400 4
16
2 900 9
CH 8
CO 3

7. The velocities of 4 molecules are 2 m/s, 4 m/s, 5 m/s and 6 m/s

respectively. What is their mean square velocity?
51 2 2 61 2 2 71 2 2 81 2 2
(a) m /s (b) m /s (c) m /s (d) m /s
4 4 4 4
Solution:
The mean square velocity of the molecules is given by
 2 C12 C22 C32 C42
C
4
4 16 25 36 81 2 2
C2mean C2 m /s
4 4

8. The translational K.E. of the molecules of a gas at absolute

temperature (T) can be doubled
(a) By increasing T to 4T (b) By increasing T to 2T
T
(c) By decreasing T to (d) By increasing T to 2T
2
Solution:
The rms velocity C is proportional to T and the K.E. ∝ C2 i.e.
K.E. ∝ T
∴ The translational K.E. of the molecules of a gas can be doubled
by increasing its temperature from T to 2T

9. A vessel contains one mole of oxygen and one mole of hydrogen

at N.T.P. What is the ratio of the values of rms velocities of
hydrogen and oxygen molecules?
(a) 1:16 (b) 16:1 (c) 4:1 (d) 1:4
Solution:

3RT
Vrms
M
VH2 3RT M0
VO2 MH 3RT
M0 32
16 4
MH 2
VH2 4
VO2 1
10. The rms speed of the molecules of a gas in a vessel at 800C is
200 m/s. If 40% of the gas is taken out of the vessel, what is the
rms speed of the remaining molecules if their temperature is not
changed?
(a) 120 m/s (b) 280 m/s (c) 200 m/s (d) 200 3m/s
Solution:
At constant temperature, rms speed of the remaining molecules
will be 200 m/s. Crms remains constant at constant T.

11. The mean free path of gas molecule at 270C is 2 cm. If the rms
velocity of the gas at that temperature is 10 m/s, what is the
time interval between two successive collisions?
1 1 1 1
(a) s (b) s (c) s (d) s
5 50 500 250
Solution:
Between two successive collisions, the molecules travels a
distance λ (mean free path).
∴ The Time (t) between two successive collisions is
2
dis tance 2 10 1 1
t s
rms velocity 10 5 102 500

12. The molecules of an ideal gas, possess

(a) Only P.E (b) Only K.E
(c) Both P.E and K.E (d) Only gravitational energy
Solution:
The molecules of an ideal gas possess only K.E. They do not have
inter molecular forces of attraction. Their motion is purely
translational.
13. Gases exert pressure on the walls of the containing vessel
because the gas molecules
(a) Possess momentum (b) Have finite volume
(c) Collide with one another (d) Obey Boyle’s law
Solution:
Gases exert pressure on the walls of the containing vessel
because the gas molecules possess momentum.
Force
P & Force Rate change of momentum
area

14. At the same temperature, the mean kinetic energies of the

molecules of hydrogen and oxygen are in the ratio
(a) 1:16 (b) 8:1 (c) 16:1 (d) 1:1
Solution:
The mean K.E. of the molecules of H2 and O2 will be in the ratio
of 1:1 because the mean K.E. depends only on the temperature
and not on the nature of the gas.

15. In an isothermal compression of a gas, from volume V to

V
volume , the final kinetic energy of the gas
4
(a) Is increased (b) Is decreased
(c) Becomes 4 times (d) Is not changed
Solution:
In an isothermal change the temperature of the system remains
constant, the temperature is a function of K.E. Hence at constant
T, K.E. remains constant
16. The difference between the principal specific heats of Nitrogen is
300 J/kg K and the ratio of the two specific heats is 1.4. The
value of Cp is
(a) 650 J/kg K (b) 750 J/kg K (c) 1050 J/kg K (d) 150 J/kg K
Solution:
CP
CP CV 300 & 1.4
CV
CP 1.4CV
1.4CV CV 300
(0.4CV ) 300
300 10
CV 750
4
CP CV 300 750 300 1050 J/kg K

17. For a certain gas CP=0.21 Kcal/kg K and γ=1.4. Its specific heat
at constant volume (CV) expressed in Kcal/kg K is
(a) 0.1 (b) 0.2 (c) 0.15 (d) 0.3
Solution:

CP
r
CV
CP 0.21
CV
r 1.4
CV 0.15 k cal / kg K

18. The principal specific heat of a gas at constant volume is 0.6

J/kg/K. If the molecular weight of the gas is 30, then its molar
specific heat expressed in J/K mole K is
(a) 15 (b) 20 (c) 18 (d) 50
Solution:
Molar specific heat = principal specific heat ×Molecular weight
= 0.6×30=18 J /k mole /K
19. 1mole mono atomic gas is mixed with 1 mole diatomic gas, at
constant volume. The resultant specific heat of the mixture at
constant volume is :
(a) R (b) 2R (c) 3R (d) R/2
Solution:
For mono atomic gas
3 5
cv R, cp R
2 2
For diatomic gas
5 7
cv R, cp R
2 2
When 1 mole mono atomic and diatomic gases are mixed
3 5
cv R R 4R
2 2
Thus cv = 2R for 1 mole mixture.
∴ cv = 2R for 1 mole mixture.