Simple RMS velocity question, what's wrong with my answer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter couchpotato
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Rms Velocity
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the root mean square (RMS) velocity of argon atoms using the ideal gas law and the formula for RMS speed. The user initially calculated the RMS speed as 12.5 m/s using the equation v_RMS = √(3PV/nM) with given values for pressure, volume, and molar mass. However, the calculation was incorrect due to a missing factor of 1000 related to the conversion from kPa to Pa. The correct RMS speed should include this factor, resulting in a final value of 39.37 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law (PV = nRT)
  • Knowledge of root mean square speed calculation (v_RMS = √(3RT/M))
  • Familiarity with unit conversions, specifically between atmospheres and kilopascals
  • Basic chemistry concepts, particularly regarding molar mass of gases
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about unit conversions in gas laws, focusing on kPa and atm
  • Explore advanced applications of the ideal gas law in real-world scenarios
  • Study the derivation of the RMS speed formula for different gas types
  • Investigate the behavior of gases under varying temperature and pressure conditions
USEFUL FOR

Students in chemistry or physics, educators teaching gas laws, and anyone involved in thermodynamics or kinetic theory of gases.

couchpotato
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Thread moved from the technical forums, so no Homework Template is shown
Find the rms speed for an argon atom if 1.5 mol of the gas is confined to a 5.6 liter container at a pressure of 5.5 atm.

PV = nRT
RT = PV/n
v_RMS = \sqrt (3RT/M)

= \sqrt (3PV/nM)

= \sqrt ((3 * (5.5atm * 101.325kPA/atm) * (5.6 * 10^-3 m^3) / (1.5 mol * 39.948 * 10^-3)

= 12.5 m/s

However this is apparently wrong. Can someone please tell me what I went wrong?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your substitutions are correct, but you've slipped a factor of 1000 (possibly the k in kPa) in your working out. This becomes a factor of sqrt (1000).
 
Thank you!
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
11K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
8K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
21K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
12K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
15K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K