What characterizes the motion of gas particles?

The motion of gas particles is characterized by random motion. This means that gas particles move in all directions at various speeds and can collide with one another and with the walls of their container. This random movement is a result of the high kinetic energy of gas particles, which allows them to overcome the forces of attraction that might be present.

In gases, the particles are not bound to specific locations, as they are in solids, and do not vibrate around fixed positions. Instead, they are free to move independently and randomly. Additionally, while particles do move in straight lines between collisions, they quickly change direction due to their random motion. Thus, stating that gas particles move in a straight line only does not fully capture their characteristic behavior. Lastly, gas particles are not stationary; rather, they are always in motion unless cooled to a temperature where they lose their energy and behave like a solid.