Thermodynamics: RMS Speed of Molecules

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the temperature required to increase the root mean square (rms) speed of gas molecules by 1.4% at an initial temperature of 20.0°C. The relevant equations include v(rms) = √(3kT/m) and the relationship between temperature and rms speed. Participants clarify that the volume of the gas is not relevant to the temperature increase needed for the speed change. The correct approach involves using the ratio of speeds and temperatures, leading to a consistent final temperature of approximately 297.103 K. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly interpreting variables and relationships in thermodynamics.
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Homework Statement


The rms speed of molecules in a gas at 20.0°C is to be increased by 1.4 percent. To what temperature must it be raised?

k = 1.38E-23 (Boltzmann's Constant)
Ratio in speed: 1.014 : 1
Ratio in Volume: 1.014² = 1.0282 : 1
T1 = 20°C = 293°K
The Volume of 1 mol of an ideal gas is 22.4 L


Homework Equations


v(rms) = √(3kT/m)
KE = ½mv² = 1.5kT
V1²/V2² = T1²/T2²


The Attempt at a Solution


22.4/(22.4*1.0282) = 293²/T2²
.9726 = 293²/T2²
.9726T2² = 293²
T2 = 297.103°K

Am I correct in my thinking?
Thank you.
 
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No. The problem talks about increasing v(rms) by raising the temperature, so why are you increasing the volume?
 
vela said:
No. The problem talks about increasing v(rms) by raising the temperature, so why are you increasing the volume?

Oh. My apologies, a misinterpretation of variables, thanks to past physics units.

So then:
½mv² = 3/2 kT
½m(1.014)² = 3/2 (1.38E-23)T
2.484E22 m = T

Although, I'm not really sure how I could find m (assuming the above steps are correct?)

Unless I should just use the equation: v1²/v2² = T1²/T2²
(at first, I thought the v's in the equation were capital V's standing for volume, but now I realize it stands for v(rms)

1(v²)/1.014²(v²) = 293²/T2²
v²'s cancel out, leaving me with:
1/1.0282 = 85849/T²
T² = 88269.94
T = 297.103°K
Hmm, well, that's the same answer that I found before, but concerning the volume of 1 mol = 22.4 Liters, I noticed that it canceled itself out in my previous work. I think I misinterpreted the variables, but used the ratio correctly, unless that answer is incorrect.
 
I'm not sure where you got that equation from, but I'm guessing you were right that the V's stood for volume. It looks like one of those ideal gas laws squared.

The equation

\frac{1}{2}mv_{rms}^2 = \frac{3}{2}kT

tells you that the temperature is proportional to v_{rms}^2, so if v_{rms} increases by 1.4%, by what factor does the temperature rise?
 
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