The discussion revolves around calculating the temperature corresponding to the speed of nitrogen molecules striking a space vehicle during re-entry from the Moon. The problem is situated within the context of molecular kinetics and thermodynamics.
The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on necessary constants and clarifying the distinction between molecular weight and mass. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity introduced by considering nitrogen as a diatomic molecule.
Participants note constraints regarding the availability of certain information, such as the mass of nitrogen molecules, and emphasize the importance of using accurate values for calculations.
Dick said:Look up the mass of an N2 molecule and Boltzmann's constant, k, put them into your first equation and solve for T. ?
bpw91284 said:Can't look up mass, only molecular weight. Where mass=#mols*molecular weight.
Dick said:You can so look up the mass of a single nitrogen atom. It's in the periodic table in atomic mass units. What's an atomic mass unit in kilograms? Can also be looked up.