Calculate the temperature for this reaction to occur

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the temperature required for a specific reaction involving deuterium and protons. Participants are examining the relationship between kinetic energy and temperature, particularly how the average kinetic energy of particles relates to the temperature of a system.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the use of average kinetic energy values and why half of the total kinetic energy is considered for the calculation. There are discussions about the implications of temperature on particle motion and energy distribution among different particle types.

Discussion Status

The discussion is exploring various interpretations of kinetic energy in relation to temperature and reaction conditions. Some participants are providing insights into the relationship between average kinetic energy and temperature, while others are seeking clarification on the assumptions being made regarding energy distribution among particles.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing inquiry into the assumptions about the kinetic energy of the mixture and how it applies to the reaction conditions. Participants are also considering the implications of particle collisions and their effects on the reaction probability.

Janiceleong26
Messages
276
Reaction score
4
image.jpg
1. Homework Statement

image.jpg

Homework Equations


KE = 3/2 R/NA T

The Attempt at a Solution


By using the formula above, I used 2.4 x 10^-14 J as the mean translational KE , but it should be 1.2x10^-14 , why? I thought the mixture contains both deuterium nucleus and the proton? Why half KE of mixture?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Janiceleong26 said:
View attachment 100665 1. Homework Statement
View attachment 100666

Homework Equations


KE = 3/2 R/NA T

The Attempt at a Solution


By using the formula above, I used 2.4 x 10^-14 J as the mean translational KE , but it should be 1.2x10^-14 , why? I thought the mixture contains both deuterium nucleus and the proton? Why half KE of mixture?
what happens to the particles kept at some temperature-they get energy and start thermal motion - the average K.E. of particles is related to the temp. and Boltzmann Constant.
3/2 is a factor depending on degree of freedom.
so, what amount of energy a particle say proton will get if you are given with Total K.E. of proton and deuterium? that one should find and then apply the energy-temp relation.
 
Janiceleong26 said:
By using the formula above, I used 2.4 x 10^-14 J as the mean translational KE , but it should be 1.2x10^-14 , why? I thought the mixture contains both deuterium nucleus and the proton? Why half KE of mixture?
At a given temperature, how much KE will each particle have? (You have to assume some collisions will be head on.)
 
drvrm said:
what happens to the particles kept at some temperature-they get energy and start thermal motion - the average K.E. of particles is related to the temp. and Boltzmann Constant.
3/2 is a factor depending on degree of freedom.
so, what amount of energy a particle say proton will get if you are given with Total K.E. of proton and deuterium? that one should find and then apply the energy-temp relation.
haruspex said:
At a given temperature, how much KE will each particle have? (You have to assume some collisions will be head on.)
Half of the total KE, but why? I thought they are asking for the sample? Why do we need to consider KE of just one of them?
 
Janiceleong26 said:
Half of the total KE, but why? I thought they are asking for the sample? Why do we need to consider KE of just one of them?
They are asking for the temperature at which you would expect the reaction to occur. It doesn't have to occur for all particle pairs immediately. Leaving aside that some will have greater than the average KE, they will be moving in various directions. From the temperature you can find the average KE of any given particle, but the reaction involves two particles. Their relative directions of travel matter. Which case makes them most likely to reach the required KE level?
 
Janiceleong26 said:
Half of the total KE, but why? I thought they are asking for the sample? Why do we need to consider KE of just one of them?

i think the average velocity of a particle in an enclosure at Temp. T may be taken as v(rms) and
1/2 . m(i). v(i)^2 = 3/2 k T ; now one has to check how the total KE will be shared.
 
drvrm said:
now one has to check how the total KE will be shared.
Not sure what you mean by that. Shared between what?
 
haruspex said:
Shared between what?

shared between the two kinds of particles namely deuteron and protons.
 
drvrm said:
shared between the two kinds of particles namely deuteron and protons.
Doesn't the equation in your post answer that?
 
  • #10
haruspex said:
Doesn't the equation in your post answer that?
well it does -but the question is being asked as to why half of the total KE of the two (given in the question) is being used for estimating T.
 
  • #11
haruspex said:
They are asking for the temperature at which you would expect the reaction to occur. It doesn't have to occur for all particle pairs immediately. Leaving aside that some will have greater than the average KE, they will be moving in various directions. From the temperature you can find the average KE of any given particle, but the reaction involves two particles. Their relative directions of travel matter. Which case makes them most likely to reach the required KE level?
When they collide head-on?
Does it mean that we have to supply 1.2x10^-14 J of energy to both deuterium and the proton for the reaction to start?
 
  • #12
Janiceleong26 said:
When they collide head-on?
Does it mean that we have to supply 1.2x10^-14 J of energy to both deuterium and the proton for the reaction to start?
It means that given those average KEs each, you can expect the reaction to start.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Janiceleong26
  • #13
haruspex said:
It means that given those average KEs each, you can expect the reaction to start.
Ok, got it, thanks very much!
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
11K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K