Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the kinetic molecular theory of gases?

• A. The volume of individual gas particles is negligible compared to the volume of the container.
• B. Collisions between gas particles are perfectly elastic.
• C. Gas particles experience significant attractive and repulsive forces.
• D. Gas particles are in constant, random motion.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Review the basic assumptions of the kinetic molecular theory (KMT) of gases, which describe the behavior of ideal gases.
2. Recall that one key assumption is that gas particles have negligible volume compared to the container, meaning their size is very small relative to the space they occupy.
3. Another assumption is that collisions between gas particles are perfectly elastic, so no kinetic energy is lost during collisions.
4. The theory also assumes that gas particles are in constant, random motion, moving in straight lines until they collide with another particle or the container walls.
5. Identify that the statement 'Gas particles experience significant attractive and repulsive forces' contradicts the KMT assumption, which states that there are no significant intermolecular forces between gas particles in an ideal gas.