I keep getting “Kinetic molecular theory” questions wrong in States of Matter: Gases. What's the trap?
picturing gas molecules as touching or slow.
The usual trap: picturing gas molecules as touching or slow. How to avoid it: a gas is mostly empty space with fast, bouncing particles. Go back to the definition — gases are tiny, fast, far-apart particles in constant random motion; pressure comes from their collisions with the walls.
Key point
Kinetic molecular theory
Common mistake
picturing gas molecules as touching or slow.
Memory tip
a gas is mostly empty space with fast, bouncing particles.
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