Question

The pressure of gas molecules is due to ________?

Answer 1

• Pressure is defined as the force exerted by an object or a substance per unit area of the substance.
• Mathematically, Pressure = $\frac{\mathrm{Force}}{\mathrm{Area}}$.
• According to the kinetic theory of gases the molecules of a gas are in a continuous motion and they move in all directions due to their high kinetic energy.
• Kinetic energy means energy obtained by the motion.
• During the random motion of gas molecules, these molecules collide with each other and with the walls of the container exerting pressure.
• Therefore Pressure of the gas = $\frac{\mathrm{Force}\mathrm{applied}\mathrm{by}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{molecules}\mathrm{to}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{wall}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{container}\left(\mathrm{F}\right)}{\mathrm{Area}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{the}\mathrm{Container}\left(\mathrm{A}\right)}$

Hence pressure of gas molecules is due to the kinetic energy of the molecules.