Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases

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Gas particles of different masses can have the same average kinetic energy at a given temperature due to the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and velocity. Kinetic energy is defined as KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity. At a constant temperature, the average kinetic energy of gas particles remains the same, which implies that lighter particles must move faster to compensate for their lower mass, while heavier particles move more slowly. This principle is rooted in statistical mechanics, which explains how energy is distributed among particles in a system. The transfer of energy between particles occurs as heat flows from areas of higher temperature (higher average kinetic energy) to lower temperature, reinforcing the idea that temperature reflects the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance.
Bashyboy
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Hello,

So, I am reading this theory, and I come across this sentence explaining to me that gas particles of different mass have the same average kinetic energy at a particular temperature. Is this somehow due to momentum? Each particle is given a certain energy which will cause them to move at a certain velocity, and, since they have different masses, the energy they receive will cause them to move at a certain velocity that is relative to their mass? If this isn't a correct way of thinking, please explain to me why particles of different masses can have the same average kinetic energy.

Thank you.
 
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Because it is the kinetic energy that determines the temperature. I think that particles with higher kinetic energy, on average, is more likely to transfer their energy to particles with lower kinetic energy. Therefore, temperature is the representation of this, since heat flows from higher temperature to lower temperature. (I think it has something to do with statistical mechanics which I haven't learned any)

Since K.E is the same, different mass would have different velocity.
 
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