Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

According to the kinetic molecular theory, the motion of gas particles is described as:

1. Ordered and predictable

2. Random and continuous

3. Slow and deliberate

4. Static until heated

The correct answer is: Random and continuous

The kinetic molecular theory states that gas particles are in constant motion, moving quickly in a random manner. This means that their movement is not predictable or ordered; instead, it is erratic and occurs in all directions. As temperature increases, the energy of the gas particles increases, leading to faster and more vigorous motion. This characteristic of gases allows them to fill any container and exert pressure uniformly in all directions. The nature of gas motion being random and continuous is crucial for understanding various behaviors of gases, such as diffusion and effusion. The other options suggest characteristics that do not align with the kinetic molecular theory's principles, as gases do not exhibit orderly or static motion under normal conditions. Thus, recognizing that gas particle motion is random and continuous provides a foundational understanding of gas behavior in physics and chemistry.