It is said that the assumptions of kinetic theory are good for gases having low densities. Suppose a container is so evacuated that only one molecule is left in it. Which of the assumptions of kinetic theory will not be valid for such a situation? Can we assign a temperature to this gas?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

No, we cannot assign temperature for this gas as temperature is not defined for single molecule.

Explanation

The following assumption of kinetic theory will not be valid for single molecule gas:

•A given amount of gas is a collection of large number of molecules that are in random motion colliding with each other and the walls of container.

It is said that the assumptions of kinetic theory are good for gases having low densities. Suppose a container is so evacuatedthat only one molecule is left in it. Which of the assumptions of kinetic theory will not be valid for such a situation? Can we assign a temperature to this gas?

It is said that the assumptions of kinetic theory are good for gases having low densities. Suppose a container is so evacuated
that only one molecule is left in it. Which of the assumptions of kinetic theory will not be valid for such a situation? Can we assign a temperature to this gas?