Question

Why do gases exert more pressure on the walls of the container than the solids?

Answer 1

The pressure exerted by gas can be explained by the simple kinetic theory of gases.

• The particles of gases have high kinetic energy.
• The force of attraction between the gaseous molecules is negligible, therefore, they can move constantly at high speed in all directions.
• Due to the random motion of gaseous particles, the particles hit each other and also hit the walls of the container with a force.
• These collisions of the gas particles with the walls of the container exert pressure on the walls of the container.
• Unlike gases, solid molecules have an orderly arrangement and are tightly packed.
• The force of attraction between the particles of solid is more and they cannot move in all the directions.
• They do not possess kinetic energy; hence, they do not exert pressure on the walls of the container.

Therefore, gases exert more pressure on the walls of the container than the solids.