Isfahan University of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Properties of Gases

Outline
Kinetic Theory of Gases
Molecular Velocity
Mean Free Path
Reynolds Number
2

Introduction

Kinetic Theory of Gases

According to this theory

Temperature:
Kinetic energy of the
molecules
Pressure: Force of molecular impacts
on the container walls
Viscosity: Transfer of momentum by
molecular motion
Diffusion: Molecular mass transfer
4

Basic assumption of the Theory

Gases contain a large number of
molecules
The molecules are small compare to the
distance between them
The molecules are rigid sphere traveling
in straight lines between elastic collisions
5

Billiard Ball Model

Kinetic Theory uses Billiard ball model of
gas molecules to describe gas properties
like temp. in terms of Billiard ball properties
Billiard ball properties:
n: number per unit volume
m: mass
dm: diameter
c: velocity
6

Ideal Gas Law

P: absolute pressure
T: absolute Temp.
nm: number of moles
V: volume
R: gas constant
7

Boyles Law

For constant nm and T

it can be drive from simple kinetic
theory of gases (Billiard ball model))

Derivation of Boyles Law

N: number of molecules
m: mass of each Molecules
cx: velocity component of one of
the molecules

Assumptions:
y and z components have no effect in x direction
Molecules will bounce back and forth between side A and A at a velocity
cx

Derivation of Boyles Law

Time between successive collision
with either A or A:

Net momentum change:

Rate of change of momentum:

10

Derivation of Boyles Law

Newtons second law:
the force exerted by the molecules= rate of change of its momentum

pressure:
Total pressure:

11

Derivation of Boyles Law

Last equation in terms of the mean
square average:
Speed of each molecules:
and:
thus:
12

Derivation of Boyles Law

Statement of Boyles Law

A more detailed analysis shows that the
collisions with other molecules do not
affect the results derived here.
13

Number of molecular collisions per unit

area of stationary plate per second

14

Molecular Velocity
For one mole of gas:
The square root of the mean square
velocity:
Na= Avagadros Number
mNa=M (molecular weight of gas)
If measure T then Crms is known
15

Kinetic energy

16

Kinetic energy

17

Mean Free Path

This definition comes from the non-continuum
view or molecular view which is depend on the
particle size relative to the spacing between the
gas molecules.

The average distance traveled by a

molecule between successive collision

nz= average number of collision a particular

molecule has in one second

18

Mean Free Path

nz is:

dm: collision diameter (Diameter between

the center of two molecules at collision)
n: concentration of molecules ( number per
unit volume)
For air: dm= 3.7 A
19

Mean Free Path

For given gas with fixed dm:

The mean free path depend on only
density (n).
Increases with increasing T
decreases with increasing P( in atmosphere
mean free path increase with altitude.)
20

Knudsen Number
Ratio of mean free path to particle
radius.

Gets larger as particle gets smaller

21

Relative size

22

Reynolds Number
Benchmark to determine whether the
flow is Laminar or Turbulent
Ratio of Inertial forces to frictional forces
Similarity Analysis (Same streamline
around abjects)
23

Reynolds Number

For steady flow:

24

Reynolds Number
Reynolds number:
U: reletive velocity between the fluid and an
object (particle)
L: diameter of pipe or particle
, : density and viscosity of fluid
Flow for particle motion: Fluid=air
25

Reynolds Number
Laminar flow:
Particle: Re<1
Pipe: Re<2000

Why these are different?

Enhanced importance of inertial forces for a fluid flowing around
a particle compare to the straight line flow along a pipe.
26

Reynolds Number

27

Example

28

Example

29

Summary
Kinetic Theory of Gases
Molecular Velocity
Mean Free Path
Reynolds Number
30

Thank You
Questions?

31