Explaining Why Air Molecules Have Smaller Masses

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Air molecules have smaller masses to ensure that their average impulses do not tend to zero when interacting with larger particles, such as smoke. The smaller mass of air molecules allows them to generate minimal displacement in smoke particles, which exhibit very small movements. Kinetic theory supports this by stating that heat energy causes molecular vibrations at temperatures above absolute zero. Observations of Brownian motion further confirm that warm air molecules are in constant motion. Understanding these principles clarifies why air molecules must have smaller masses.
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account for the fact that air molecules have a smaller mass?

I have down in my notes something about if a larger particle was used then the average impulses would tend to 0, could someone please explain this?

thanks a lot !
 
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Actually, the smoke particles have very small movements - so the air molecules hitting them must have a smaller mass - if they were bigger than the smoke , then the particles would be displaced by much larger amounts.
kinetic theory states that heat energy involves the vibration of molecules at all temperatures above absolute zero - the Brownian motion observations confirm that warm air molecules are in constant motion(vibration). Hope that helps your question! :smile:

-Earthmosphere
 
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