Question detail

What happens when gas particles collide with the walls of their container (Particle motion in gases)

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Particle model and pressure

Question

  1. A. They exert a force on the walls
  2. B. They lose energy
  3. C. They change direction randomly
  4. D. They increase in temperature

Answer

The correct answer is They exert a force on the walls.

Explanation

Exam lens: Write the relationship, substitute values only when needed, and finish by interpreting the result. This question asks: What happens when gas particles collide with the walls of their container (Particle motion in gases). The correct response is They exert a force on the walls, because gas pressure comes from particle collisions with container walls. In Particle motion in gases, the marking point should connect directly to explain that collisions of gas particles with container walls exert a force on the walls. If the question includes values, the working must keep the appropriate unit and operation; if it is an explanation, it must name the relevant particle behaviour or energy change. This item belongs to Particle model and pressure, so avoid answers that switch to a different quantity, confuse heat with temperature, or describe gas pressure without collisions when collisions are the reason. Checkpoint 467 is distinct because it uses this exact question context and the exam lens rather than a generic particle-model sentence.

Common mistake

Misidentifying the source of pressure

Students often say that the pressure of a gas comes from the weight of the gas above it, just like atmospheric pressure, rather than from the force of particle collisions with the walls.

Explain that gas pressure is produced by the momentum transfer when gas particles collide with the container walls; the weight of the gas is negligible compared with the collision forces, especially in a sealed container.

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