kinetic theory of gases

noun

, Physics.

1. a theory that the particles in a gas move freely and rapidly along straight lines but often collide, resulting in variations in their velocity and direction. Pressure is interpreted as arising from the impacts of these particles with the walls of a container.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kinetic theory of gases¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Nearly 80 years later Russian physicists have found they can model this surprise tactic with a scientific law: the kinetic theory of gases.

From Scientific American

According to the kinetic theory of gases, the conductivity of a gas depends on molecular diffusion.

From Project Gutenberg

But according to the kinetic theory of gases, the mass of Mercury, only a very small fraction of that of the sun, is inadequate to retain an atmospheric envelope.

From Project Gutenberg

Connecting the experimental study of the physical and chemical properties is the immense theoretical edifice termed the kinetic theory of gases.

From Project Gutenberg

Townsend has shown that this value of the mean free path agrees well with the value 1⁄21 cm. deduced from the kinetic theory of gases for a corpuscle moving through air.

From Project Gutenberg