How Does the Kinetic Theory Explain Heat?

Kinetic Molecular Theory

• The kinetic molecular theory explains how gases behave in relation to kinetic energy. The theory states that gases are composed of many particles, which move in a constant and random pattern. The collection of gas particles has a measure of kinetic energy. According to Hyper Physics, kinetic energy is the energy the particle possesses because of its motion. The kinetic energy of the gas particles is dependent upon the current temperature of the gas.

Kinetic Theory of Heat

• Heat is a product of the interaction between matter and its surroundings. According to ThinkQuest, the kinetic theory of heat states that heat is "something that is transferred back and forth across a boundary between a system and its surroundings." When heat enters a system of matter (such as gas), the particles in the system will begin to move at an increased speed. Therefore, temperature can be determined by measuring particle speed in a system.

Temperature and Heat

• The kinetic theory of heat further explains the nature of temperature as a whole. According to VIAS, "temperature is a measure of the amount of energy per molecule." Heat measures the total amount of energy in all of the molecules located in an object or system of matter. If the temperature in the molecule changes, the overall heat will either increase or decrease.

Gas, Solid and Liquid

• All heat is in the form of kinetic energy if the object or system of matter is a gas. This is due to all of the particles in the gas moving freely. The particles in liquids and solids are close enough to allow electrical forces to increase or decrease the amount of energy in each molecule. Therefore, the heat is changed by factors other than kinetic energy.