How does temperature affect the speed of gas molecules?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between temperature and the speed of gas molecules, specifically focusing on how changes in temperature affect the mean square speed and root mean square speed of gas molecules.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the factors by which mean square speed and root mean square speed increase with temperature changes, with some attempting to derive these factors from relevant expressions. Questions are raised about the validity of assumptions and the expressions used in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the relationship between temperature and molecular speed. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of specific equations and concepts, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of using the equipartition theorem and the Boltzmann distribution in their reasoning, indicating a level of complexity in the assumptions being discussed.

exequor
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by what factor does
i. the mean square speed
ii. the root mean square speed

... of molecules of a gas increase when its temperature is doubled. I can tell that it would be 2 and 2^0.5 for the answer but is there a way to use the expressions to find that?
 
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I wish you had explained HOW you "can tell that it would be 2 and 2^0.5 for the answer " or, for that matter, told us which "expressions" you would want to use.

I suppose you mean the fact that the temperature of a gas is proportional to the average speed of the molecules making up that gas. Of course, the "average speed", at least the mean, is the "root mean square speed" so the root means square speed (answer (ii)) would be multiplied by 2, the multiplier of the temperature, while the "mean square speed" (answer (i)) would be multiplied by the square of that: 4.
 
the expression that i would use would be 3/2kT
 
mean square speed [tex]<v^{2}> =\int f(\vec{v}) v^{2} d\vec{v}[/tex]

mean square speed [tex]<v> = \int f(\vec{v}) v d\vec{v}[/tex]

root mean square speed [tex]\sqrt{<v^{2}> - <v>^{2}[/tex]

where [tex]f(\vec{v})[/tex] is the distribution function of the particles, How does the velocity or consequently the energy vary as the temperature varies.

Now using the equipartition cipher is partially correct, but I'd use the above equations to find out for sure, that is if you know the distribution function and I believe that the equipartitio theorem assumes the Boltzmann distribution, so work out the integrals and see.
 
thanx very much everyone
 

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