States of Matter and Gas Laws

The kinetic theory says all matter is made of tiny particles that are always moving. The hotter something is, the faster its particles move. This idea explains why solids, liquids, and gases behave the way they do.

How Gases Behave

• ●Gas particles move fast, spread out, and bounce off the walls of their container.
• ●Pressure is caused by gas particles hitting the walls of the container.
• ●Three things describe a gas: pressure, volume, and temperature. Change one and the others respond.

Boyle's Law

At a constant temperature, pressure and volume are inverses. Squeeze a gas into a smaller volume and the pressure goes up. Give it more room and the pressure drops.

Charles's Law

At a constant pressure, volume and temperature rise together. Heat a gas and it expands; cool it down and it shrinks. Temperature must be measured in Kelvin for these laws.