Why do dust particles stay suspended in the gas?

AI Thread Summary
Dust particles remain suspended in gas due to constant collisions with free-moving gas molecules, which counteract gravity. This results in a net force of zero on the dust particles, preventing them from falling. The phenomenon is also explained by Brownian motion, where the random movement of particles keeps them dispersed. The discussion confirms the accuracy of this explanation and highlights the role of gas molecule interactions. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping the behavior of particles in gases.
nyrychvantel
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
A diagram shows many very small dust particles suspended in the gas in a closed transparent glass.

Question: Explain why dust particles stay suspended in the gas and do not fall to the bottom of the syringe.

My answer:
Dust particles are constantly being bombarded by free moving gas molecules in the glass that causes it to counteract the force of gravity. Therefore, the dust particles stay suspended because the resultant force acting on the dust particle is zero.

Am I correct in explaining this phenomenon? Please correct me.
Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
That sounds good and just like the gas molecules the dust particles will be moving randomly(Brownian motion)
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Circular trajectory traveled by a charged particle in a magnetic field
Replies
3
Views
2K
Electrostatics Deflection Problem
Replies
1
Views
2K
Why a car decelerates after releasing the gas pedal?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Why do particles in a falling coach get closer together?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Explaining Brownian Motion & Gas Laws: Homework Solutions in 65 chars or less
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Wall material effect on Van der Waals gas?
Replies
23
Views
2K
Why does less dense air rise and more dense air come down?
Replies
18
Views
2K
What is the reading on a scale when a chain falls onto it?
Replies
9
Views
2K
A Origin of BH Entropy & Info Missing Puzzle Resolution
Replies
6
Views
2K
Conservation of momentum - Vertical spring
Replies
24
Views
6K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top