Notes:
- Gases, unlike solids and liquids have indefinite shape and indefinite volume. As a result, they are subject to pressure changes, volume changes and temperature changes. Real gas behavior is actually complex. For now, let's look at ideal Gases, since their behavior is simpler. By understanding ideal gas behavior, real gas behavior becomes more tangible.
- How do we describe an ideal gas? An ideal gas has the following properties:
- 1. An ideal gas is considered to be a "point mass". A point mass is a particle so small, its mass is very nearly zero. This means an ideal gas particle has virtually no volume.
- 2. Collisions between ideal Gases are "elastic". This means that no attractive or repulsive forces are involved during collisions. Also, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules remains constant since theses interparticle forces are lacking.
- Pressure is defined as a force per area. When gas molecules collide with the sides of a container, they are exerting a force over that area of the container. This gives rise to the pressure inside the container.
