Kinetic Theory of Matter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Kinetic Theory of Matter - Essay Example The paper tells that the Kinetic theory of matter is a theory that describes states of matter.   There are three states of matter namely solids, liquids, and gases. This theory states that matter is composed of particles that are in constant motion. These particles are either atoms or molecules. The particles in solids cannot move to another location but they can only vibrate because they are closely held to each other. There is enough space in liquids and therefore the particles are free to move but they attract one another. In gases, there is enough free space since the particles are far apart. As more Kinetic energy is gained by the particles, the components of matter change their state; solids change into liquids and liquids change into gases. Kinetic energy is as a result of heating the particles thus making them move apart from one another. The Kinetic theory is based on the fact that when heated, the molecules quickly vibrate and some of it moves from the matter. The physica l states of matter can be explained by the kinetic theory. Heat is a form of energy that is being transferred from region to another. The energy transfer is as a result of thermal contact or thermal radiation and occurs at different temperatures of the systems. Nuclear reactions such as those that are responsible for the burning of the sun release heat. Insulators can also be used to trap heat for a limited time. Energy is transferred through three modes namely conduction, convection or radiation, depending on the medium through which it is being transferred.... It can either be forced or free convection. In radiation, there is no contact between the objects in which the heat transfer is taking place. The transfer takes place through electro-magnetic waves, and does not require a medium. Heat is measured in joules. Temperature Temperature is the measure of the amount of heat energy in a body and the capacity for heat transfer. It can also be defined as the measurement of the mean kinetic energy of molecules in a system. The apparatus that are commonly used in the measurement of temperature are the thermometer and calorimeter. The SI unit for measuring temperature is the centigrade (Celsius), although in physics the Kelvin scale is often used. Warmth or coldness can be felt from contact with an object and this describes the object’s temperature. Relationship between heat and temperature As mentioned earlier, heat is a form of energy that is being transferred from one region to another while temperature is the measure of the amount of h eat energy in a body and the capacity for heat transfer. Therefore, the amount of heat determines the temperature of a body or a region. An increase in heat energy increases the kinetic energy of molecules thus making them to move faster resulting to a rise in temperature. In addition, how fast or slow the molecules move is determined by the amount of heat energy they possess. There is a direct relationship between heat and temperature in that as the kinetic energy of molecules is increased, the temperature also increases. Differences between heat and temperatures Though the two concepts are closely related, there is a distinction between them. Temperature is the amount of inner energy of a system. On the other hand, heat is a measure of the transfer of energy from a system to