Kinetic Molecular Theory & Phase Changes — Drills · Grade 11 Science

Chapter: States of Matter & Gases

What these drills covers

By the end of Kinetic Molecular Theory & Phase Changes you should be able to:

6 questions, multiple choice, numeric and written answer, each with a worked explanation.

Vocabulary used: kinetic molecular theory (KMT), kinetic energy, phase change, heating curve, heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, phase diagram, sublimation.

Problem 1

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the kinetic molecular theory for an ideal gas?
  1. Collisions between particles are perfectly elastic
  2. Gas particles attract each other strongly
  3. Gas particles are in constant, random motion
  4. The volume of the particles themselves is negligible
Answer and explanation

Gas particles attract each other strongly

An ideal gas is assumed to have NO attractions between particles; the other three statements are genuine KMT assumptions.

Problem 2

In which state of matter are particles close together but able to slide past one another?
  1. plasma
  2. solid
  3. liquid
  4. gas
Answer and explanation

liquid

In a liquid, particles stay close but are free to move past each other, so it flows while keeping a fixed volume.

Problem 3

Convert 100°C to kelvin.
Answer and explanation

373 K

K = °C + 273 = 100 + 273 = 373 K.

Problem 4

Which phase change is endothermic (absorbs energy)?
  1. deposition
  2. condensation
  3. freezing
  4. sublimation
Answer and explanation

sublimation

Sublimation (solid to gas) absorbs energy; condensation, freezing, and deposition all release it.

Problem 5

On a heating curve, what is happening during a flat plateau, and why does the temperature stay constant?
Answer and explanation

A phase change is occurring. The added energy is being used to break the attractions holding the particles together (raising their potential energy) rather than speeding the particles up, so the temperature — which measures average kinetic energy — stays constant until the change is complete.

Problem 6

Absolute zero is 0 K. What is this temperature in degrees Celsius?
Answer and explanation

-273 °C

°C = K − 273 = 0 − 273 = −273°C (more precisely −273.15°C).

Browse all courses