B Does Methane Gravitationally Differentiate in Air or Mix with Fluid Dynamics?

AI Thread Summary
Methane, with a molecular weight of approximately 16, would gravitationally differentiate in still air, slowly rising above heavier gases like oxygen and nitrogen. However, in real-world conditions, air is rarely still, and factors such as wind and turbulence significantly disrupt this separation. As a result, fluid dynamics play a crucial role in mixing methane with the surrounding air. The interplay between gravitational differentiation and fluid dynamics leads to a complex behavior of methane in the atmosphere. Understanding this interaction is essential for accurately assessing methane's environmental impact.
Praestrigiator
Messages
27
Reaction score
2
Does methane gravitationally differentiate in air, or does fluid dynamics mess things up & make it mix in with the air?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Praestrigiator said:
Does methane gravitationally differentiate in air, or does fluid dynamics mess things up & make it mix in with the air?
Both. Methane has molecular wt. approx. 16, while oxygen and nitrogen have molecular wts. of 32 and 28, so the methane would slowly rise when the air is perfectly still. However the air is never perfectly still, so wind,etc. tends to mix things up.
 

Similar threads

B Why exactly do we need the gravitational constant?
Replies
11
Views
3K
B Moist air - does it rise or drop?
Replies
42
Views
10K
B Investigating the Impact of Chips on Packaging Pressure Differential
Replies
5
Views
2K
B Beam of air: Extending the range of a fan
Replies
17
Views
3K
B How Does Viscosity and Turbulence Affect Fluid Flow Between Plates?
Replies
6
Views
2K
I G force and extreme aviation maneuvers
Replies
21
Views
3K
B Does the Torricelli Vacuum Experiment Prove the Strength of Vacuum Forces?
Replies
39
Views
6K
I How Does a Pressurized Tank Empty Over Time Through a Hole?
Replies
3
Views
4K
Getting an exact amount of Methane out of a cylinder
Replies
10
Views
2K
I Separation of Fluids in a Centrifuge
Replies
1
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top