Dust Particles: RMS Speed Calculation (3*10^13 mm/s)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the root-mean-square (RMS) speed of dust particles, modeled as spheres with a specified diameter and density. The original poster presents an equation for the RMS speed and reports a calculated value, seeking assistance in verifying their work.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply a formula for RMS speed, expressing concern over their unit conversions and the validity of their answer. A participant questions the temperature value used in the calculation and the understanding of the formula's implications.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the temperature value and the original poster's calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the temperature, but there is no clear consensus on the correctness of the original calculation.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a temperature value provided in a previous problem, which the original poster initially overlooked. The original poster expresses uncertainty about unit conversions and the accuracy of their final answer.

doggieslover
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calculate the rms (root-mean-square) speed v_rms of these particles, assuming them to be spheres of diameter 5 \; \mu {\rm m} and density 2 \; {\rm g}/{\rm cm}^3 = 2000 \; {\rm kg}/{\rm m^3}. The mass of such a dust particle is 1.31 \times 10^{-13} \; \rm kg.
Express your answer in millimeters per second to one decimal place only.

So I found out from the previous problem that the equation to use is:

v_rms =\sqrt{\left(\frac{\left(3k_{B}T\right)}{\left({\rho}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right){\pi}\left(\frac{d}{2}\right)^{3}\right)}\right)}


And after I plugged everything into the equation, I got 3*10^13 mm/s as the answer.

I am pretty sure that I converted everything to the right units, I double checked my work a few times already, I don't know what I 've done wrong.

Please help?
 
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Hi doggieslover! :smile:

Since nobody's replied in over 36 hours, maybe they can't read it … so here's a translation :rolleyes:
doggieslover said:
calculate the rms (root-mean-square) speed vrms of these particles, assuming them to be spheres of diameter 5µm and density 2g/cm3 = 2000kg/m3. The mass of such a dust particle is 1.31 10-13 kg.
Express your answer in millimeters per second to one decimal place only.

So I found out from the previous problem that the equation to use is:

v_{rms} \ =\ \sqrt{\left(\frac{\left(3k_{B}T\right)}{\left({\rho}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right){\pi}\left(\frac{d}{2}\right)^{3}\right)}\right)}And after I plugged everything into the equation, I got 3*10^13 mm/s as the answer.

I am pretty sure that I converted everything to the right units, I double checked my work a few times already, I don't know what I 've done wrong.

Please help?
 
What did you use for T, and why? Do you understand the meaning of this formula?
 
T = 290K, it was given in a previous problem, I forgot to incorporate it in here.

I solved it already, the answer is .3mm/s, I probably just converted something wrong.
 

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