Explain postulates of the kinetic theory of gases.

Explanation

(i) The molecules in a gas are small and very far apart. Most of the volume which a gas occupies is empty space.
(ii) Gas molecules are in constant random motion. Just as many molecule are moving in one direction as in any other.
(iii) Molecules can collide with each other and with the walls of the container. Collisions with the walls account for the pressure of teh gas.
(iv) When collisions occur, the molecules lose no kinetic energy, that is, the collisions are said to be perfectly elastic. The total kinetic energy of all the molecules remains constant unless there is some outside interference with the molecules.
(v) The molecule exert no attractive or repulsive forces on one another except during the process of collision. Between collisions, they move in straight lines.