A well-insulated, sealed container is fitted with a movable, frictionless piston. The piston is initially locked in place with a pin. The container is placed on a hot plate and temperature of the gas inside the container increases. The container is removed from the hot place after they reach thermal equilibrium.
Answer the following questions and interpret your answers in terms of the kinetic theory of gases. You must use the kinetic theory to interpret your answers
a) In terms of the kinetic theory and what causes a gas to have pressure?
b) If you increase the temperature of a gas in a rigid container, the pressure of the gas increases. Why does the kinetic theory lead us to deduce that this increased temperature is related to greater molecular motion?
c) When the pin is removed, the gas expands and the piston moves up. Describe why the piston moves in terms of the kinetic theory.
d) What happens to the temperature and pressure of the gas as it expands? Describe why this happens in terms of the kinetic theory.
e) Finally, the gas will stop expanding. Why does the gas stop expanding? Explain your reasoning in terms of the kinetic theory.