Suppose you have two 1-L flasks, one containing N2 at STP, the other containing CH4 at STP. How do these systems compare with respect to (c) average kinetic energy of the molecules?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of kinetic energy. The average kinetic energy of a gas molecule is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas in Kelvin. It is given by the equation KE_avg = 3/2 kT, where k is Boltzmann's constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin.
2. Step 2: Recall that STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure) refers to a temperature of 273.15 K and a pressure of 1 atm. Therefore, both the N2 and CH4 gases are at the same temperature.
3. Step 3: Since the average kinetic energy of a gas molecule is directly proportional to the temperature, and both gases are at the same temperature, they will have the same average kinetic energy.
4. Step 4: Note that the type of gas (N2 or CH4 in this case) does not affect the average kinetic energy of the molecules. The average kinetic energy of the molecules in a gas only depends on the temperature.
5. Step 5: Therefore, the average kinetic energy of the molecules in the N2 and CH4 gases are the same at STP.

Key Concepts

Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory explains the behavior of gases in terms of particle motion. It states that gas molecules are in constant, random motion and that the average kinetic energy of these molecules is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas in Kelvin. This theory helps us understand how temperature influences the speed and energy of gas particles.

Average Kinetic Energy

The average kinetic energy of gas molecules can be calculated using the formula KE = (3/2)kT, where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin. At standard temperature and pressure (STP), both N2 and CH4 are at the same temperature, meaning their average kinetic energies will be equal, regardless of their molecular weights.

Molecular Mass and Speed

While the average kinetic energy of gas molecules at the same temperature is the same, the speed of the molecules varies with their mass. Lighter molecules, like CH4, move faster than heavier molecules, like N2, at the same temperature. This difference in speed can affect the rate of diffusion and other properties, but does not change the average kinetic energy at STP.