Which of the following is NOT a postulate of the kinetic molecular theory of gases?

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

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Review the main postulates of the kinetic molecular theory (KMT) of gases, which describe the behavior of ideal gases at the molecular level.
2. Recall that one key postulate states that gas particles have negligible volume compared to the container's volume, meaning the particles themselves take up almost no space.
3. Another postulate is that gas particles are in constant, random motion, moving in straight lines until they collide with either the container walls or other particles.
4. The theory also states that collisions between gas particles are perfectly elastic, meaning no kinetic energy is lost during collisions.
5. Understand that the KMT assumes there are no strong attractive or repulsive forces between gas particles; this is why the statement 'Gas particles experience strong attractive and repulsive forces' is NOT a postulate of the kinetic molecular theory.