Engineering Chemistry Practice Test: Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory of Gases — Flashcards

This quiz on Thermodynamics covers: Thermodynamics laws, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, equilibrium, heat engnes, kinetics, kinetic theory of gases.

Thermodynamics describes the overall properties, behavior, and equilibrium composition of a system. 
Kinetics describes the rate at which a particular process will occur and the pathway by which it will occur. 

Thermodynamics equilibrium predicts the concentrations of species and phases if a reaction reaches equilibrium. 
Kinetics tells us how fast, or if, the reaction will reach equilibrium. 

The kinetic theory of gases is a model that explains the behavior of gases. It assumes that gases are made up of rapidly moving atoms or molecules that are constantly colliding with each other and the walls of their container. The theory also suggests that the continual bombardment of any surface by the gas causes pressure to be exerted.

The kinetic theory of gases has five main postulates:

The particles in a gas are in constant, random motion.

The combined volume of the particles is negligible.

The particles exert no forces on one another.

Any collisions between the particles are completely elastic.

The gas is in equilibrium, so it must appear the same in any direction.

The kinetic theory of gases also explains Boyle's law, which states that if pressure increases, volume of a gas decreases at constant temperature.

Equilibrium and kinetics are related in that they both involve rates. Equilibrium can be described as the balance of the forward and reverse reaction rates. 
The three types of thermodynamic equilibrium are: Chemical equilibrium, Mechanical equilibrium, Thermal equilibrium. 
Thermal equilibrium occurs when there is no net transfer of kinetic energy between two objects. When two objects are in thermal equilibrium they are said to have the same temperature.