Determine whether each of the following changes will increase, decrease, or not affect the rate with which gas molecules collide with the walls of their container: (a) increasing the volume of the container (b) increasing the temperature (c) increasing the molar mass of the gas

Verified step by step guidance

1. (a) Increasing the volume of the container: When the volume of the container is increased, the gas molecules have more space to move around. This means they will hit the walls of the container less frequently, so the rate of collisions will decrease.
2. (b) Increasing the temperature: When the temperature is increased, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases. This means they move faster and will hit the walls of the container more frequently, so the rate of collisions will increase.
3. (c) Increasing the molar mass of the gas: When the molar mass of the gas is increased, the gas molecules become heavier. Heavier molecules move slower than lighter ones at the same temperature, so they will hit the walls of the container less frequently, so the rate of collisions will decrease.

Key Concepts

Gas Laws

Gas laws describe the behavior of gases in relation to pressure, volume, and temperature. According to Boyle's Law, increasing the volume of a gas at constant temperature decreases its pressure, which can affect the frequency of collisions with the container walls. Understanding these relationships is crucial for predicting how changes in volume will influence gas behavior.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory explains that gas molecules are in constant motion and that their collisions with the walls of a container create pressure. This theory posits that temperature is directly related to the average kinetic energy of the molecules; thus, increasing the temperature will increase the speed of the molecules, leading to more frequent collisions with the walls.

Molar Mass and Collision Frequency

Molar mass affects the speed of gas molecules, as lighter molecules move faster than heavier ones at the same temperature. An increase in molar mass generally results in slower-moving molecules, which can decrease the frequency of collisions with the container walls. Understanding this relationship helps in predicting how changes in molar mass will impact gas behavior.