Unformal question about molecules of gases

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the movement of gas molecules and their implications for phenomena such as wind and scent diffusion. Gas molecules travel at speeds of several kilometers per second; however, their chaotic motion results in slower diffusion rates for larger molecules, like those in perfume. Wind is generated by pressure and temperature differences, not merely the speed of gas molecules. The misunderstanding about wind's speed and the diffusion of scents highlights the complexity of molecular behavior in gases.

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  • Understanding of gas laws and molecular motion
  • Familiarity with concepts of pressure and temperature differentials
  • Basic knowledge of diffusion processes
  • Awareness of molecular size and its impact on movement
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  • Study the effects of temperature and pressure on gas behavior
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fluidistic
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In high school I've been told that the molecules of gases have generally speed of severals kilometers per second. Hence why the wind is not always present, and why not that fast? (I guess it has to see with the huge number of particles... I never studied such a system in Physics yet, I believe but I might be wrong.)
Also why when I open a bottle of perfume I cannot smell its odor if I'm at say 2 meters from it? (It's like the big molecules of perfume cannot move that fast at all since there are too much other molecules or so).
Thanks.
P.S.: I've asked this question to my teacher when I was younger and it seems he misunderstood the question. Answering that the wind was a depression or something like that. Which do not say why the wind is not as fast as most molecules in air so most molecules forming the wind itself.
 
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fluidistic said:
In high school I've been told that the molecules of gases have generally speed of severals kilometers per second. Hence why the wind is not always present, and why not that fast? (I guess it has to see with the huge number of particles... I never studied such a system in Physics yet, I believe but I might be wrong.)
Also why when I open a bottle of perfume I cannot smell its odor if I'm at say 2 meters from it? (It's like the big molecules of perfume cannot move that fast at all since there are too much other molecules or so).
Thanks.
P.S.: I've asked this question to my teacher when I was younger and it seems he misunderstood the question. Answering that the wind was a depression or something like that. Which do not say why the wind is not as fast as most molecules in air so most molecules forming the wind itself.

Essentially, the gas molecules are moving in a chaotic pattern so it takes longer for them (e.g. "perfume molecules") to diffuse through the air and to your nose.

Wind develops as a result of pressure or temperature differences between two locations on the Earth's surface.

CS
 
Thank you stewartcs, I get it.
 

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