1. Oct 25, 2011 #1

   Observables

   

   Hi all.
   
   Just got a question to ask, I'm slightly puzzled by it.
   
   Q.
   
   Say that you have a sealed container and you put in it 50% helium and 50% argon and you leave it for a few days. Because argon is heavier than helium, would the most of the helium rise to the top part of the container while most of the argon sinks to the bottom?

    

   Observables, Oct 25, 2011
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3. Oct 26, 2011 #2

   read

   

   No. Take the Boltzman equation in the earth gravity and calculate the concentrations n=n0*exp(-M*g*h/(R*T)), M - molar weight, R - gas constant. I believe the difference in concentrations will be much smaller than 1% at room temperature.

    

   read, Oct 26, 2011
4. Oct 27, 2011 #3

   Observables

   

   Thanks Read.

    

   Observables, Oct 27, 2011

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