Consider a 1.0-L sample of helium gas and a 1.0-L sample of argon gas, both at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. a. Do the atoms in the helium sample have the same average kinetic energy as the atoms in the argon sample?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the average kinetic energy of gas particles is related to temperature, not the type of gas.
2. Recall that according to the kinetic molecular theory, the average kinetic energy of gas particles is given by the equation: \( KE_{avg} = \frac{3}{2}kT \), where \( k \) is the Boltzmann constant and \( T \) is the temperature in Kelvin.
3. Since both helium and argon gases are at the same room temperature, their average kinetic energies are the same.
4. Note that while the average kinetic energy is the same, the individual speeds of helium and argon atoms differ due to their different masses.
5. Conclude that the average kinetic energy of the atoms in the helium sample is the same as that of the atoms in the argon sample because they are at the same temperature.

Key Concepts

Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory explains the behavior of gases in terms of particles in constant motion. It states that the average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas in Kelvin. Therefore, at the same temperature, different gases will have the same average kinetic energy, regardless of their molecular weight.

Temperature and Kinetic Energy

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. For gases, this means that if two samples are at the same temperature, their particles will have the same average kinetic energy. This principle is crucial for comparing different gases, such as helium and argon, under identical conditions.

Gas Properties and Behavior

Gases exhibit unique properties, including low density and high compressibility, due to the large distances between particles. The behavior of gases can be described by various gas laws, which relate pressure, volume, and temperature. Understanding these properties helps in analyzing how different gases, like helium and argon, behave under the same conditions.