How is the volume of a gas related to the number of collisions per unit area in an enclosure?

How is the volume of a gas related to the number of collisions per unit area in an enclosure?

• A. The larger the volume, the larger the pressure
• B. The larger the volume, the smaller the pressure
• C. The volume does not affect collisions
• D. The volume increases collisions, increasing pressure

Answer: (A)

The relationship between the volume of a gas and the number of collisions per unit area in an enclosure is governed by the principles of gas behavior, particularly as described by the ideal gas law and kinetic molecular theory. When the volume of a gas increases while the number of gas molecules remains constant, the molecules have more space to move. As a result, the number of collisions between gas molecules and the walls of the enclosure actually decreases, leading to a reduction in pressure. Conversely, a smaller volume confines the gas molecules, which increases the frequency of their collisions with the walls of the enclosure, resulting in higher pressure. Therefore, when considering the direct relationship between volume and pressure, it is clear that a larger volume correlates with a smaller pressure, as there are fewer collisions occurring per unit area. This relationship is fundamentally linked to how gas pressure is defined: pressure is the force exerted by gas molecules colliding with the walls of a container per unit area. Hence, as the volume increases, the pressure decreases due to a lower frequency of these collisions. The answer indicating that "the larger the volume, the larger the pressure" does not align with the scientific principles governing gas behavior, as it contradicts the direct observation that lower collision rates correspond to lower pressure

The relationship between the volume of a gas and the number of collisions per unit area in an enclosure is governed by the principles of gas behavior, particularly as described by the ideal gas law and kinetic molecular theory.

When the volume of a gas increases while the number of gas molecules remains constant, the molecules have more space to move. As a result, the number of collisions between gas molecules and the walls of the enclosure actually decreases, leading to a reduction in pressure. Conversely, a smaller volume confines the gas molecules, which increases the frequency of their collisions with the walls of the enclosure, resulting in higher pressure.

Therefore, when considering the direct relationship between volume and pressure, it is clear that a larger volume correlates with a smaller pressure, as there are fewer collisions occurring per unit area. This relationship is fundamentally linked to how gas pressure is defined: pressure is the force exerted by gas molecules colliding with the walls of a container per unit area. Hence, as the volume increases, the pressure decreases due to a lower frequency of these collisions.

The answer indicating that "the larger the volume, the larger the pressure" does not align with the scientific principles governing gas behavior, as it contradicts the direct observation that lower collision rates correspond to lower pressure