- #1
leroyjenkens
- 616
- 49
Homework Statement
Using classical statistics, find the probability that an atom of helium in a helium gas at temperature T = 300k will have a speed greater than 1000 m/s.
Homework Equations
I think this calls for the Maxwell speed distribution.
[tex]F(v)dv=4πCe^{\frac{-mv^{2}}{2kt}}v^{2}dv[/tex]
Where k = Boltzmann's constant
T = temperature.
m = mass
C = some constant
v = velocity
The Attempt at a Solution
I tried integrating this from 1000 to infinity, to find the probability that the particle would be in that range of velocities, but that integral is apparently not possible. Is there any other way to approach this problem? The teacher doesn't expect us to do ridiculous integrals, so I'm thinking I must be making this harder than it has to be.
Thanks.