The Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution applies primarily to ideal gases when quantum effects are negligible, meaning it is not universally applicable to all gases. It is specifically valid for mono-atomic gases, while polyatomic gases exhibit additional complexities due to their degrees of freedom. When quantum effects become significant, the behavior of gases must be described using Bose-Einstein or Fermi-Dirac distributions, which account for the differences between bosons and fermions. Therefore, the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution does not hold for all ideal gases. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately describing gas behavior under various conditions.
