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Particle model and pressure
This topic uses collisions between gas particles and container walls to explain pressure, then extends the model to changing temperature, volume and work done on gases.
27
Objectives
135
Flashcards
135
Questions
90 min
Study time
AQAGCSEPhysicsParticle model of matter
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What you need to know
27 objective pages available
Particle motion in gases9 objectives
- Describe gas particles as moving in constant random motion.
- Explain that gas particles collide with each other and with the walls of their container.
- Explain that collisions of gas particles with container walls exert a force on the walls.
- Explain that the force from particle collisions produces gas pressure.
- Describe how increasing temperature increases the average kinetic energy of gas particles.
- Explain that faster gas particles collide more often and with greater force.
- Use the particle model to explain why gas pressure increases when temperature increases at constant volume.
- Use the particle model to explain why gas pressure changes when gas particles collide with container walls.
- Distinguish gas pressure from atmospheric pressure in particle-model explanations.
Pressure in gases (physics only)10 objectives
- (Physics only) Explain how changing the volume of a fixed mass of gas changes the frequency of particle collisions with container walls.
- (Physics only) Explain why decreasing the volume of a gas at constant temperature increases its pressure.
- (Physics only) Explain why increasing the volume of a gas at constant temperature decreases its pressure.
- (Physics only) State that pressure multiplied by volume is constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature.
- (Physics only) Apply the relationship pressure x volume = constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature.
- (Physics only) Calculate pressure when volume changes at constant temperature.
- (Physics only) Calculate volume when pressure changes at constant temperature.
- (Physics only) Identify pressure in pascals and volume in metres cubed when using the pressure-volume relationship.
- (Physics only) Interpret pressure-volume data for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature.
- (Physics only) Apply MS 3b, MS 3c and MS 4a skills when calculating or interpreting pressure-volume relationships.
Increasing the pressure of a gas (physics only) (HT only)8 objectives
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain that doing work on a gas transfers energy to the gas.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain that compressing a gas can increase its internal energy.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain that increasing internal energy can increase the temperature of a gas.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain why a gas may get hotter when it is compressed quickly.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Link work done on gas particles to increased particle kinetic energy.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Distinguish temperature increase during compression from pressure increase caused by reduced volume.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Use the particle model to explain energy transfer during gas compression.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Apply conservation of energy reasoning to work done on a gas.
Key terms
gas particlesrandom motiongas pressurecollisionaverage kinetic energytemperatureatmospheric pressurecollision frequencyvolumePressureVolumepressure
Exam tips
- Understand Gas Particle Motion: Visualize gas particles moving randomly and constantly; use diagrams to illustrate their motion and collisions.
- Understand Particle Collisions: Focus on how gas particles collide with each other and the walls of their container, as this is key to explaining gas pressure.
Common mistakes
- Misunderstanding Gas Particle Motion: Emphasize that gas particles are in constant random motion, frequently changing direction due to collisions with each other and the walls of their container.
- Misunderstanding Particle Collisions: Emphasize that gas particles collide with both each other and the walls of their container, which is essential for understanding gas pressure.
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