Pressure and Kinetic Energy of Gases

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between pressure and kinetic energy of gases in three identical flasks containing different gases at varying pressures and a constant temperature. Participants explore how these factors influence the kinetic energy of gas molecules.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the temperature is the key factor in determining kinetic energy, implying that it may be independent of pressure.
  • Another participant raises the issue of whether the mass of gas in each flask is equal, suggesting that this could affect the outcome.
  • A different participant expresses uncertainty about the adequacy of the information provided, noting that missing variables, such as the number of moles, complicate the determination of which flask has the highest kinetic energy.
  • One participant asserts that since temperature is the average kinetic energy, all flasks should have the same kinetic energy, questioning the relevance of pressure and gas type.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus. There are competing views regarding the influence of temperature, pressure, and mass on kinetic energy, and some participants express uncertainty about the information provided.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of information about the number of moles and mass of gases in each flask, which may affect the analysis of kinetic energy.

scorpa
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Hi Everyone,

I just have a quick question about pressure and kinetic energy of gases. Say you have 3 identical flasks filled with 3 different gases, Flask A contains CO at 760 torr Flask B contains N2 at 250 torr and Flask C contains H2 at 100torr and all three flasks are at a temperature of 0.0 degrees celsius. In which flask will the molecules have the greatest kinetic energy? I was thinking that the flask with the highest pressure (A) will have the most kinetic energy, but the fact that each flask contains a different gas makes it a bit more difficult. I'm assuming that because the flasks are identical there are an equal number of moles of each gas. Which do you guys think would have the greatest kinetic energy?
 
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Do you know what temperature means?

I think that's the key here...
 
Is one of the constraints that there is an equal amount of mass in each flask?
 
They don't say anything about the mass being equal in all the flasks, the question is listed word for word as it appears in the book. There is another option to say that there is not enough information to say which flask has the highest kinetic energy, which I am leaning towards at this point because no matter what equation I look at to try and see what would have the highest energy it seems like I am missing a variable (usually moles).
 
Lol temperature is the average kinetic energy of a substance. Therefore all flasks have the same kinetic energy. Thank you.

So the pressure of the flask and the substance in the flask have no influence on the kinetic energy at all?
 

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