It can be observed experimentally that the volume of a gas will be decreased by applying pressure. This observation is best explained by the assumption that
A)the average kinetic energy of gas molecules is directly proportional to the absolute temperature.
B)gas molecules collide without loss of kinetic energy.
C)gas molecules are small compared to the distance between them.
D)gas molecules exert almost no attractive forces on one another.
E)gas molecules become smaller.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decrease in volume of a gas when pressure is applied can be best explained by the assumption that gas molecules are small compared to the distance between them (C). This implies that when pressure is applied, the molecules, which are initially far apart, can be pushed closer together, thus reducing the volume of the gas. This concept is a fundamental principle of the kinetic molecular theory of gases.

It Can Be Observed Experimentally That the Volume of a Gas