Kinetic molecular theory of gases

Abstract

This activity introduces students to the principles of the kinetic molecular theory of gases, which typically follows the class session in which students treat gases mathematically with the ideal gas law. Students examine simplified microscopic models of an ideal gas in order to see how different changes of state variables impact the motion of molecules, especially the speed distribution. The main learning objective is for students to explain how a change of one state variable impacts a second variable, specifically pressure, by explicitly discussing the motion of gas molecules. While other POGIL activities on this topic exist, the goal with this new one was to focus on students’ development of microscopic models and written explanations.

Level: Undergraduate
Setting: Classroom
Activity Type: Learning Cycle
Discipline: Chemistry
Course: Introductory Chemistry
Keywords: Kinetic molecular theory of gases