Calculating Average Kinetic Energy and RMS Speed of Gas Molecules

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the average kinetic energy and root mean square (RMS) speed of gas molecules, specifically helium and argon, at a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius. The formula used is 1/2mv² = 3/2kT, where k is the Boltzmann constant valued at 1.38 x 10^-23 J/K. A critical point raised is the necessity of converting the temperature to Kelvin for accurate calculations, which the user initially overlooked.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the kinetic theory of gases
  • Familiarity with the Boltzmann constant (1.38 x 10^-23 J/K)
  • Knowledge of temperature conversion from Celsius to Kelvin
  • Basic grasp of the formula for kinetic energy (1/2mv²)
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about the kinetic theory of gases in detail
  • Study temperature conversion methods, particularly Celsius to Kelvin
  • Explore the implications of the Boltzmann constant in thermodynamics
  • Investigate the calculation of RMS speed for different gas mixtures
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, chemistry, and engineering fields who are interested in thermodynamics and gas behavior calculations.

cogs24
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
hi all

if you have a cylinder with helium and argon in it, and the mixture is at equilibrium, with a temperature of 150 degrees celsius. what is the average kinetic energy of each gas molecule?, and what is the rms speed of each type of molecule?

im aware of the theory behind this, but it seems that i just cannot obtain the answer.
im using the formula
1/2mv^2 (kinetic energy) = 3/2kT
i think I am going wrong with calculating k, isn't that a constant, 1.38 X 10 ^ -23.

thanx for any help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes that k is the Boltzmann constant, with that value. Perhaps you are forgetting to convert to kelvin?
 
hmm, yes, i did forget to convert to kelvin, i thought i did, oh well, thanks for the notice!
 

Similar threads

RMS velocity of molecules in a mixture
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Average Kinetic Energy of molecules calculation
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Fraction of molecules have kinetic energy of 1/2mC^2
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Temperature as a measure of the kinetic energy of molecules
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Calculate the rms speed of one nitrogen molecule at 27 Celcius
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Calculating rms speed of hydrogen molecules
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
18K
Does Doubling Gas Molecules Affect RMS Speed?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Calculating RMS Speed of Molecules in a Compressed Gas
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
11K
Undergrad Question About Ideal Gas and Average Free Movement of Molecules
  • · Replies 69 ·
3
Replies
69
Views
9K
Calculating Average & RMS Speed of Molecules
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K