Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory

Theory

Pressure is the average effect of molecules hitting the walls. Temperature measures the mean kinetic energy: (in 2D) $⟨\frac{1}{2}m{v}^2⟩=kT$. Hence the gas law $PV=NkT$. Speeds follow the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution.

What to observe

• Select the box: the pressure measured from impacts ≈ $NkT/V$.
• The histogram follows the theoretical curve (yellow).

Try this

• Push the piston (volume) with the thermostat on: isothermal, P rises.
• Turn the thermostat off and compress: the gas heats up (adiabatic).
• Change the gas: heavier molecules are slower at the same T.

Also available in: Gás ideal e teoria cinética (Português) · Gas ideal y teoría cinética (Español)