Explaining Why Air Molecules Have Smaller Masses

In summary, the mass of air molecules is smaller because they have smaller movements compared to larger particles such as smoke. This is due to kinetic theory, which explains that heat energy causes constant motion and vibration of molecules. This is confirmed by Brownian motion observations.
  • #1
binbagsss
1,254
11
account for the fact that air molecules have a smaller mass?

I have down in my notes something about if a larger particle was used then the average impulses would tend to 0, could someone please explain this?

thanks a lot !
 
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  • #2


Actually, the smoke particles have very small movements - so the air molecules hitting them must have a smaller mass - if they were bigger than the smoke , then the particles would be displaced by much larger amounts.
kinetic theory states that heat energy involves the vibration of molecules at all temperatures above absolute zero - the Brownian motion observations confirm that warm air molecules are in constant motion(vibration). Hope that helps your question! :smile:

-Earthmosphere
 

1. What is the mass of an air molecule?

The mass of an air molecule can vary depending on the specific gas, but on average, it is approximately 5.3 x 10^-26 kilograms.

2. Why do air molecules have smaller masses compared to other molecules?

Air molecules, also known as diatomic molecules, are made up of only two atoms bonded together. This makes them smaller and less dense compared to larger molecules that may have more atoms bonded together.

3. How does the size of an air molecule affect its behavior?

The smaller mass of an air molecule allows it to move more freely and rapidly compared to larger molecules. This allows air molecules to diffuse and spread out more quickly, leading to the mixing of gases in the atmosphere.

4. What is the impact of air molecule mass on atmospheric pressure?

The smaller mass of air molecules contributes to the low atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. As altitude increases, the number of air molecules decreases, resulting in lower pressure due to the decreased mass of the air column above.

5. Can the mass of an air molecule change?

The mass of an air molecule is determined by the type and number of atoms that make it up, so it cannot change. However, the temperature and pressure of the air can affect the behavior of air molecules and their density, which can in turn affect the overall mass of a given volume of air.

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