The Behaviour of Gases

Pressure as an important variable is discussed first. Historically important experiments on the behaviour of gases under constant temperature or pressure are described and the corresponding equations are given. The latter are then combined into the state equation for an ideal gas. The basic kinetic theory of ideal gases is developed and its expressions for pressure and kinetic energy are presented. The interpretation of temperature in terms of the kinetic energy of gas particles is presented. Heat is explained as a process of energy transfer between bodies. The first attempts to measure heat and to quantify it are described including heat units.