Calculating Collisions b/w N2 & O2 Molecules in Air

[jbowers9]

Homework Statement

Beginning Calculations in Physical Chemistry
Barry R. Johnson & Stephen K. Scott

Calculate the average number of collisions per second between N_{2} and O_{2} molecules in air @ 298K and @ a pressure of 1 X 10^5 in a room of volume V = 100m^3. (Assume air has the composition 0.8N_{2} & 0.2O_{2})

Homework Equations

I follow the solution in the text, however, do you need the given volume to calculate z?
Can't it be calculated from z = \sigma \overline{c}_{rel} \eta using p/kT?

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[Astronuc]

To get the collision density, n (collsions/ cm³-s), i.e. collisions per unit volume per second, one does not need the volume.

To get the total number of collisions/sec, N, in the room as called for in the problem, one needs N = nV, where V is the total volume.

 

[jbowers9]

zzzzzz @ STP

Alrightee then. When I calculate z, I get an answer on the order of magnitude of 10^9, and the book/authors get something on the order of 10^38. What is the descrepancy here?

 

[Astronuc]

Do you mean 10^{38}? If so one needs to put {} around 38. LaTeX is kind of dumb in that regard.

Well in a mole of ideal gas (volume = 22.4 l) there are 6 x 10²³ molecules, so that means there will be a lot of collisons >> 10⁹.

Then consider the mean free path and mean particle velocity.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/menfre.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/frecol.html#c1

 

[jbowers9]

...will the real z @STP please stand up

If
z= \sigma_{{N_2}{O_2}} \overline{c}_{rel} \eta

I can't figure out how to make the above read sigma c rel eta. I keep getting the error above even though the syntax is the same as below

and \sigma_{{N_2}{O_2}} = 0.415nm^2

\mu_{{N_2}{O_2}} = 14.93gs/mol

gives \overline{c}_{rel} = 650m/s

\eta_{{N_2}{O_2}} = N/V =nN_a/V = nN_ap/nRT

and after canceling out Avogadro's number gives
\eta_{{N_2}{O_2}} = p/kT

So z = (0.415 x 10^{-18})(650)(2.43 x 10^{25})
z= 6.55 x 10^9 sec-1

The authors get z = 2.55 x 10^{36} sec-1

They calculate Z__{{N_2}{O_2}} = \sigma_{{N_2}{O_2}} \overline{c}_{rel} N_a{^2} [N_2][O_2] = 2.55 x 10^{34} sec-1 m-3
and multiply this value by the volume 100m^3 to get 2.55 x 10^{36} sec-1.

So where is my error?

 

[jbowers9]

z @ STP

I still can't figure out why there is such a large difference in the book's calculated value for z and my value. They do emphasize "total" collisions but this is because it is a mixture of gases.