The Kinetic Theory of Matter

The Kinetic Theory of Matter

• Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space, composed of tiny particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) in constant motion due to kinetic energy.
• The amount of kinetic energy held in matter is determined by temperature and the state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas).

Diffusion

• Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, until the particles are evenly distributed.
• Occurs in both liquids and gases, resulting in a gradient of concentration.

Osmosis

• Osmosis is the movement of water particles from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration, through a semipermeable membrane.
• Occurs in all living cells because water is needed for biological reactions and cell membranes are semi-permeable membranes.

Brownian Motion

• Brownian motion is the constant irregular motion of particles (e.g., pollen grains) floating on water, observed by Robert Brown in 1827.
• Explained by kinetic theory, where air and water particles constantly move and collide with heavier particles, causing them to move irregularly.

States of Matter

• Matter can be divided into three main states: solids, liquids, and gases, with a recently proposed fourth state called plasma (at high temperatures).
• Properties of solids, liquids, and gases are summarized in Table 1.1, showing their differences in volume, shape, and compressibility.

Solid State

• Particles are close together in an orderly fashion, with strong forces of attraction between particles, limiting movement to vibrating around a fixed point.

Liquid State

• Particles are further apart than in a solid, with less orderly arrangement, and weaker forces of attraction between particles, allowing particles to slip slowly over each other.

Gas State

• Particles are very far apart, with random arrangement, and very weak forces of attraction between particles, allowing particles to move freely in all directions at high speeds.

Sublimation

• Sublimation is the process of a solid changing directly into a gas without turning into a liquid first, e.g., dry ice, iodine, and ammonium chloride.

Transitions between States

• Melting: a solid changes into a liquid by gaining heat energy.
• Freezing: a liquid changes into a solid by losing heat energy.
• Boiling or Evaporation: a liquid changes into a gas by gaining heat energy.
• Condensation: a gas changes into a liquid by losing heat energy.
• Sublimation: a solid changes directly into a gas by gaining heat energy.

Heating and Cooling Curves

• Heating curves are obtained by measuring the temperature of a solid at regular intervals as it is heated.
• Cooling curves are obtained by measuring the temperature of a gas as it is cooled.
• Melting point is the temperature at which a solid melts to form a liquid or a liquid freezes to form a solid.
• Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid boils to form a gas or a gas condenses to form a liquid.

Learn about the kinetic theory of matter, which states that matter is composed of tiny particles in constant motion due to kinetic energy. Understand how temperature and state of matter affect kinetic energy.