Kinetic Theory of Gases- no. of collisions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in kinetic theory of gases, specifically focusing on calculating the number of collisions per second of gas molecules with the walls of a vessel. The scenario involves one mole of oxygen gas at a specified temperature and pressure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the number of collisions by considering a cubic volume and dividing by the number of faces. Some participants question the assumption of a cube and suggest considering a randomly shaped vessel instead.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different assumptions about the shape of the vessel and how that affects the calculations. There is no explicit consensus yet, but guidance has been offered to reconsider the assumptions made in the original approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of assuming a specific shape for the vessel and how that might influence the calculations. The original poster is also navigating through the equations related to pressure and molecular motion.

erisedk
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Homework Statement


One mole of oxygen at 27°C and at one atmospheric pressure is enclosed in a vessel.
Assuming the molecules to be moving with Vrms, find the number of collisions per second which the molecules make with 1 m2 area of the vessel wall.

Homework Equations


vrms = √(3RT/M)
PV = nRT

The Attempt at a Solution


I want to find the total number of collisions that the molecules make with a cube of side 1m and divide that by 6 to get the no. of collisions with one face.
I know how to calculate pressure (using momentum etc), which gives the equation P = ⅓ ( mN/V ) (vrms)2 where m is the mass of one molecule, N total no. of molecules, V volume.
I don't know how to combine all this information.
 
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You combine it ONE step at a time. Your first error: you assume a 1 meter cube. Why?
 
Okay I won't. I'll assume a volume V. What next?
 
Also, do I need to even assume that it's a cube? How about I just assume a randomly shaped vessel with volume V?
 

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