Encyclopedia of Science

[ozzma300]

how does convention work in terms of the kietic molecular theory? an the nuclear process that drives the convection cycle found in the mantle??

[CynthiaA]

Kinetic Molecular Theory is the theory of moving particles.

Particles are in constant motion. Particles in solids bend and vibrate, but are strongly attracted to each other through their charge and do not move very far from each other. Particles in liquids are not as strongly attracted to each other and the kinetic energy has a stronger significance. Therefore liquids maintain their volume, but not their shape. The area between the particles is known as volume. The volume does not include the particles, only the space between the particles.

The kinetic energy of gas particles is stronger than the attraction between the particles, so the particles are not "bound" in the same way as particles in solids. Molecular motion is strongest in gases. The only time particles (molecules) in gases exert large forces on one another is when they are colliding with one another. Collisions between molecules (particles) transfer energy between each other.

Heat is transferred by convection, conduction, and radiation. Heat is the thermal energy transferred from one object to another due to differences in temperature. There is a formula, but this forum does not have the ability to type it into the text. Basically, it states heat is equal to thermal energy, which is what I just stated. It is easier to glance at and understand when demonstrated in the math, or at least I find it to be this way.

Solids conduct heat much more quickly than liquids and gases because solids are closer together. Convection is the amount of heat transferred linearly proportional to the ability of the material to conduct heat i.e. solids. There is a formula to represent this as well. It reads sort of like this: Heat divided by time is equal to thermal conductivity multiplied by the cross sectional area which is then multiplied by the equation higher temperature minus lower temperature of which is then divided by the thickness of the barrier. Or something like that anyway. The formula is easier to glance at and understand.

Brownian motion is important in the kinetic molecular model of matter as it provides experimental evidence that molecules of liquids and gases are continually moving in a random way.

I am a student. Perhaps someone will post who can explain it in a better way than I have.

Have a great day!

Cynthia

[chris ROXX]

From what I understand/remember the equation for KE is as follows

KE=1/2mv(squared)

m= mass
v=velocity