Temperature and Kinetic Energy

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. When a body is heated:

• The particles gain energy and move faster.
• This increase in motion corresponds to an increase in average kinetic energy.
• Therefore, a rise in temperature means the particles in the body are moving more vigorously.

Gas Pressure and Particle Motion

Gas pressure is caused by the continuous and random collisions of gas particles with the walls of a container.

• Each collision exerts a tiny force on the wall.
• The total pressure is the result of countless such collisions happening rapidly.
• If the temperature increases, particles move faster and collide more forcefully and frequently, leading to higher pressure.

Use the following simulation of an ideal gas to observe how a change in temperature affects the frequency of collisions and hence, the pressure of the gas. The particle turns red momentarily when colliding against the wall of the container.