How do gas particles exert pressure on their container?
Gas particles are in constant random motion. They impinge on the inner walls of the vessel; that force exerts pressure inside the vessel.
Gas particles exert pressure on their container due to their random and constant motion. This pressure is a result of the particles colliding with the walls of the container.
To understand how gas particles exert pressure, we need to consider a few concepts:
1. Kinetic Theory of Gases: According to this theory, gas particles are in constant motion, moving in straight lines until they collide with each other or with the walls of the container. The particles possess kinetic energy due to their motion.
2. Momentum Transfer: When a gas particle collides with the wall of the container, it transfers some of its momentum to the wall. The force exerted by the particle on the wall during the collision is the rate of change of momentum, which is equal to mass times the change in velocity over time.
3. Newton's Third Law: According to Newton's Third Law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a gas particle collides with the wall, it exerts a force on the wall, and simultaneously, the wall exerts an equal and opposite force on the particle.
4. Summation of Collisions: Due to the large number of gas particles in a container and their random motion, collisions with the walls of the container occur frequently and in a distributed manner. These individual collisions collectively result in a continuous force exerted by the gas particles on the walls.
The continuous force exerted by the gas particles on the walls of the container is what we perceive as pressure. Pressure is defined as force per unit area. Hence, it is the total force exerted by the gas particles divided by the total area of the container.
To measure the pressure exerted by a gas, one can use devices like a pressure gauge or a manometer. These devices measure the force exerted by the gas particles on a known area and give the pressure reading in units such as Pascal (Pa), atmospheres (atm), or pounds per square inch (psi).
In summary, gas particles exert pressure on their container by colliding with and transferring momentum to the walls. This continuous collision and force exchange with the walls result in the collective pressure exerted by the gas.