Grade 7 → Matter and its properties → States of matter ↓
Gaseous state
Matter is everything you can see, touch, and feel. It is what makes up all the objects around us. Matter exists in three main states: solid, liquid, and gas. In this explanation, we will focus on the gas state, which is characterized by unique properties and behaviors compared to the other two states. Let's learn what the gaseous state is, how it behaves, and how it differs from solids and liquids.
What is gaseous state?
A gas is a state of matter in which the particles are spread out and not bound together. Gas particles move freely at high speeds and can expand and fill any container they are placed in. This is different from solids, where the particles are tightly packed, and liquids, where the particles are loosely bound but still maintain a uniform volume.
Properties of gases
Gases have several special properties that are different from those of solids and liquids:
- Indefinite shape and volume: Unlike solids which have a definite shape and volume, gases have no definite shape or volume. They expand to take the shape of the container they are in.
- Compressibility: Gases are highly compressible, which means you can press them into a small volume with enough pressure. This is because the particles are far apart and have room to get close to each other.
- Diffusion: Gases can easily mix with other gases, and spread evenly without requiring agitation.
- Low density: Gases have a low density compared to solids and liquids. This low density is due to the large amount of space between the particles.
- Exerts pressure: Gas particles collide with the walls of their container, exerting pressure. This pressure is an important property of gases because it affects how gases behave under different conditions, such as inside a balloon or in the atmosphere.
Molecular picture of gases
To better understand gases, it is helpful to visualize what is happening at the molecular level. Imagine gas particles as tiny spheres that are constantly moving in all directions. Here is a simple example:
In this diagram, the blue circles represent gas particles, and the red lines represent the path they can travel. These particles are moving very fast and are very far from each other, which means the gases can spread out and fill the available space.
Pressure in gases
The pressure exerted by a gas results from the gas particles colliding with the walls of the container. These collisions create a force over an area, which is experienced as pressure. This principle is understood by the formula:
Pressure (P) = Force (F) / Area (A)
Here, P
stands for pressure, F
stands for force, and A
stands for the area over which the force is applied. Standard atmospheric pressure is often measured using units called atmospheres (atm) or pascals (Pa).
The concept of pressure is important in a variety of real-world applications, such as understanding how weather forms, how we breathe, and how vehicle tires hold air.
Temperature and kinetic energy
The temperature of a gas is directly related to the kinetic energy of its particles. Higher temperatures mean more kinetic energy and faster-moving particles. This relationship means that when you heat a gas, its particles move faster and expand more, which increases the pressure of the gas if the volume is not allowed to expand.
In the above simplified illustration, the orange circle represents a gas particle at a lower temperature, which is moving slower than the red circle, which represents a particle moving faster at a higher temperature.
Boyle's law
Boyle's law describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas at a constant temperature. It says:
P₁V₁ = P₂V₂
In this equation, P₁
and V₁
are the initial pressure and volume, while P₂
and V₂
are the final pressure and volume. Boyle's law shows that if you decrease the volume of a gas and keep the temperature constant, the pressure will increase, and vice versa.
Charles's law
Another important gas law is Charles's law, which relates volume and temperature, and states:
V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂
Here V₁
and T₁
are the initial volume and temperature, while V₂
and T₂
are the final volume and temperature. This law states that if you increase the temperature of a gas and keep the pressure constant, the volume will increase.
Real examples of gases
Understanding the gaseous state has many practical applications:
- Balloon: When you inflate a balloon, you fill it with air, which is a mixture of gases. The balloon expands because of the pressure of the air.
- Breathing: The human lungs work based on the principles of gas behaviour. Inhalation increases the volume of the lungs and decreases the pressure, drawing air in; exhalation decreases the volume, increasing the pressure and forcing air out.
- Refrigeration: Refrigerators and air conditioners work by compressing and expanding gases, cooling interior spaces due to changes in temperature and pressure.
- Aerosol cans: These cans use compressed gases to spray substances such as deodorant or paint, then they are sprayed out of a nozzle.
Conclusion
The gaseous state is fascinating and plays an important role in everyday life and scientific studies. From the simple act of breathing to understanding complex weather systems, gases are everywhere and constantly affect us. Understanding the basics of how gases work provides insight into the natural world and gives us the knowledge to effectively use gases in technology and daily life.