Which statement best describes the forces among the particles of an ideal gas according to the kinetic molecular theory?

• A. Particles are held together by intermolecular forces.
• B. Repulsive forces dominate and keep the particles far apart.
• C. Particles experience strong attractive forces at all times.
• D. There are no attractive or repulsive forces between the particles.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the basic assumptions of the kinetic molecular theory for an ideal gas, which models gas particles as small, hard spheres in constant, random motion.
2. Understand that one key assumption is that the particles do not exert any forces on each other except during elastic collisions, meaning there are no attractive or repulsive forces acting between them when they are not colliding.
3. Recognize that this assumption simplifies the behavior of gases by ignoring intermolecular forces, which are present in real gases but neglected in the ideal gas model.
4. Note that because there are no forces between particles, the particles move independently and the gas expands to fill its container uniformly.
5. Therefore, the best description of the forces among particles in an ideal gas according to the kinetic molecular theory is that there are no attractive or repulsive forces between the particles.