Kinetic-Molecular Theory

KMT is a theory, developed by James C. Maxwell and Ludwig Boltzmann, that predicts the behavior of gases.  The theory states that:

·      Gases are made of very large numbers of molecules

·      Molecules are constantly moving (obeying Newton’s laws of motion), and their speeds are constant

·      Molecules are very far apart compared with their diameter

·      Molecules collide with each other and walls of container in elastic collisions

·      Molecules do not react[1] or exert any other forces (attractive or repulsive) on each other.

 

ideal gas: a gas that obeys KMT.  Most gases are ideal under some conditions (but not all).



[1] Of course, reactions do occur, but they are considered separately from KMT.