Basic Chemistry

Fourth Edition

Unit 3 Gases
Properties of Gases
Learning Goal Describe the kinetic
molecular theory of gases and the
properties of gases.

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Chapter Readiness
Key Math Skills
Solving Equations (1.4D)
Core Chemistry Skills
Using Significant Figures in Calculations (2.4)
Writing Conversion Factors from Equalities (2.6)
Using Conversion Factors (2.7)
Using Molar Mass as a Conversion Factor (7.3)
Converting Moles to Moles (9.1)

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Gases
We are surrounded by gases, such as
elements that exist as a gas at room temperature:
H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, and noble gases
nonmetal oxides including:
CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, and SO3
low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, methane,
ethane, propane, and butane

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Gas Behavior
The behavior of gases is quite different from
that of liquids and solids.
Gas particles are much farther apart than
particles in a liquid or solid.
Gases have no definite shape or volume,
but will completely fill any container.
Gases are less dense than solids or liquids
and easy to compress.

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Gases, Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory of gases states:
1. A gas consists of small particles (atoms or
molecules) that move randomly with high
velocities.
2. The attractive forces between particles of a gas
are usually very small.

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Gases, Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory of gases states:
3. The actual volume occupied by gas molecules is
very small compared to the volume the gas
occupies.
4. Gas particles are in constant motion, moving
rapidly in straight paths.

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Gases, Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory of gases states:
5. The average kinetic energy of gas molecules is
proportional to the Kelvin temperature.

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Pressure (P)
When gas particles strike
the walls of the container,
they exert pressure.
If we heat the gas, the
molecules move faster and
strike the walls of the
container more often with
increased force, increasing
the pressure.

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Figure 11.1 Gas particles move in

straight lines within a container.
The gas particles exert pressure
when they collide with the walls of
the container.

Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure
is the pressure exerted by
a column of air from the
top of the atmosphere to
the surface of the Earth
is about 1 atmosphere or
a little less at
sea level

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Volume (V)
The volume of a gas equals the size of the
container in which the gas is placed. In a
container with a flexible volume:
adding more particles increases the volume
lowering the temperature of the gas reduces
the kinetic energy of the molecules,
decreasing the volume of space they occupy

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Temperature (T)
The temperature of a gas is related to the
kinetic energy of its particles and is
measured in Kelvin.
For example, in a rigid container, heating
the gas will increase the energy of the
molecules and therefore increase the
pressure of the gas inside the container.

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Amount of Gas (n)

Adding air to a bicycle tire increases the
amount of gas in the tire, resulting in a
higher pressure inside the tire.
Usually, the mass of a gas is measured in
grams. In gas law calculations, we change
the grams to moles.

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Properties that Describe a Gas

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Learning Check
Identify the property of a gas that is described by
each of the following:
A.increases the kinetic energy of gas
particles
B.the force of gas particles hitting the walls of the
container
C.the space occupied by a gas

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Solution
Identify the property of a gas that is described by
each of the following:
A.increases the kinetic energy of gas
particles
Temperature
B.the force of gas particles hitting the walls of the
container
Pressure
C.the space occupied by a gas Volume

2014 Pearson Education, Inc.