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Particle motion and pressure in gases - Teacher Slides.pptx
The lesson slides with the teacher's notes on each slide, and every question and mark scheme built in. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.
AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Particle motion and pressure in gases
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Warm-up
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Answer each one, then check.
1
What is pressure?
2
What is the unit of pressure?
3
How do gas particles move?
4
Convert 100 kPa to Pa.
5
Write 3 × 4 = ?
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Warm-up - Answers
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
1
What is pressure?
Force per unit area
2
What is the unit of pressure?
Pascal (Pa)
3
How do gas particles move?
Randomly and quickly
4
Convert 100 kPa to Pa.
100 000 Pa
5
Write 3 × 4 = ?
12
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Learning Objectives
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
1
Explain how the motion of gas molecules is related to temperature and pressure.
2
Explain qualitatively the relation between temperature and pressure of a gas at constant volume.
3
Explain how changing the volume of a gas at constant temperature changes its pressure.
4
Use pV = constant.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
GAS PRESSURE
Gas molecules are in constant random motion. Their collisions with the container walls cause the pressure, which acts at right angles to the wall.
For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, pressure × volume = constant, pV = constant. It is given on the equation sheet.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Gas in a Container
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6

Smaller volume means more frequent collisions.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Explaining Pressure
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Use this chain of reasoning.
1
Particles move randomly
They collide with the walls of the container.
2
Each collision exerts a tiny force
At right angles to the wall.
3
Many collisions
Together they give a steady force on the wall, and pressure = force ÷ area.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
What Affects Gas Pressure
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Learn the explanation for each.
Change
Effect on pressure
Explanation
Temperature up (constant volume)
Increases
Particles move faster, so collide harder and more often.
Volume down (constant temperature)
Increases
Particles are closer together so collide more often with the walls.
Volume up (constant temperature)
Decreases
Particles collide less often with the walls.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Using pV = constant
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
A gas at 100 000 Pa occupies 0.30 m³. It is compressed to 0.10 m³ at constant temperature. Calculate the new pressure.
1
Write the relationship
p₁V₁ = p₂V₂
2
Substitute
100 000 × 0.30 = p₂ × 0.10
3
Rearrange
p₂ = (30 000)/0.10
4
Answer
p₂ = 300 000 Pa
ANSWER
300 000 Pa
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Heating at Constant Volume
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Explain why the pressure in a sealed can increases when it is heated.
1
Temperature rises
The average kinetic energy of the molecules increases
2
Faster molecules
They hit the walls harder and more often
3
Result
The force on the walls, and so the pressure, increases
ANSWER
Pressure increases because the faster molecules collide with the walls more often and with greater force.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Common Mistakes
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Avoid these.
Molecules expand
The molecules do not get bigger: they move faster.
Collisions
Say 'more frequent and harder', not just 'more collisions'.
Units
Pressure in pascals (Pa) and volume in m³.
Constant
pV = constant only for a fixed mass at constant temperature.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Key Terms
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Pressure
Force per unit area.
Pascal
The unit of pressure; one newton per square metre.
Random motion
Movement in any direction with no pattern.
Fixed mass
A sealed amount of gas with no particles added or removed.
Compress
Squash into a smaller volume.
Kinetic energy
Energy of movement.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
YOUR TASK
Squash the Gas
10 minutes
A syringe holds 60 cm³ of air at 100 kPa. The plunger is pushed until the volume is 20 cm³ at constant temperature. Predict and calculate the new pressure.
1
Use p₁V₁ = p₂V₂.
2
Explain with particles.
WHAT A GOOD ANSWER SHOWS
The pressure increases (particles hit the walls more often). p₂ = 100 × 60 ÷ 20 = 300 kPa.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Can I...?
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Explain gas pressure with particles.
Say the force is at right angles to the wall.
Explain the effect of temperature.
Explain the effect of volume.
Use pV = constant.
Give units of pressure.
Compress and expand gases.
Give clear explanations.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Summary & Exam Focus
Gas pressure is caused by collisions with the walls.
Higher temperature: faster molecules, more force, more often.
Smaller volume at constant temperature: higher pressure.
pV = constant.
EXAM FOCUS
Explain, in terms of particles, why the pressure of a gas in a sealed container increases when the gas is heated. (3 marks)
Say faster molecules hit the walls more often and harder.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: Particle motion and pressure in gases
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write. · 15 minutes
Question 1 · 3 marks · Explain
A sealed container of gas is heated and the volume is constant. Explain, in terms of the particles, why the pressure of the gas increases.
Question 2 · 3 marks · Explain
The volume of a gas in a syringe is reduced. The temperature is constant. Explain, in terms of the particles, why the pressure increases.
Question 3 · 3 marks · Calculate
A fixed mass of gas has a pressure of 100 000 Pa and a volume of 0.30 m³. The gas is compressed at constant temperature to a volume of 0.10…
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: Particle motion and pressure in gases (cont.)
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
Question 4 · 1 mark · State
State the direction of the force exerted by gas particles on the wall of a container.
Question 5 · 4 marks · Calculate
A syringe contains 60 cm³ of air at a pressure of 100 kPa. The plunger is pushed in until the volume is 24 cm³. The temperature is…
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 1 · 3 marks · Explain
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
“
A sealed container of gas is heated and the volume is constant. Explain, in terms of the particles, why the pressure of the gas increases.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Explain. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 1 · mark scheme
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Particles move faster or gain kinetic energy
1 mark
Collide with walls more often or harder
1 mark
So pressure increases
1 mark
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 2 · 3 marks · Explain
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
“
The volume of a gas in a syringe is reduced. The temperature is constant. Explain, in terms of the particles, why the pressure increases.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Explain. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 2 · mark scheme
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Volume decreases so the particles are closer
1 mark
More frequent collisions with the walls
1 mark
Pressure increases
1 mark
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 3 · 3 marks · Calculate
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
“
A fixed mass of gas has a pressure of 100 000 Pa and a volume of 0.30 m³. The gas is compressed at constant temperature to a volume of 0.10 m³. Calculate the new pressure. Use the equation: pressure × volume = constant
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Calculate. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 3 · mark scheme
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Correct substitution
1 mark
Rearranges
1 mark
300 000 Pa
1 mark
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 4 · 1 mark · State
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
“
State the direction of the force exerted by gas particles on the wall of a container.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: State. Worth 1 mark, so plan before writing.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 4 · mark scheme
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
1 mark available. Award a mark for each point made.
At right angles to the wall
1 mark
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 5 · 4 marks · Calculate
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
“
A syringe contains 60 cm³ of air at a pressure of 100 kPa. The plunger is pushed in until the volume is 24 cm³. The temperature is constant. Calculate the new pressure of the air in kPa.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Calculate. Worth 4 marks, so plan before writing.
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 5 · mark scheme
Particle model of matter
Lesson 5 of 6
4 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
pV constant
1 mark
Correct substitution
1 mark
Correct rearrangement
1 mark
250 kPa
1 mark
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