Which of the following is a postulate of the kinetic molecular theory?

The correct statement regarding the postulates of the kinetic molecular theory is that most of a gas's volume is empty space. This theory describes the behavior of gases at a molecular level, highlighting several key ideas about gas particles.

According to kinetic molecular theory, gas particles are in constant motion and occupy a negligible amount of space relative to the volume of the container they are in. This means that the majority of a gas's volume is indeed empty space. This concept helps explain why gases can be compressed and why they expand to fill the volume of their containers.

Understanding that gas particles are mostly separated by empty space is fundamental to gas behavior, influencing pressure, temperature, and volume relationships. This aspect of kinetic molecular theory reinforces the idea that the interactions and distances between particles in a gas differ significantly from those in liquids and solids, where particles are much closer together.

On the other hand, the pattern of particle interaction and movement described in the other options does not align with the foundational principles of the theory. The kinetic molecular theory suggests that gas particles move freely and rapidly and that their collisions are elastic rather than inelastic, meaning they do conserve kinetic energy. Therefore, the understanding that a gas consists primarily of empty space is key to grasping its characteristics as outlined by