Ch 18: Thermal Properties of Matter

Young & Freedman Calc - University Physics 14th Edition

Young & Freedman Calc14th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780321973610Not the one you use?Change textbook

Young & Freedman Calc 14th Edition

Ch 18: Thermal Properties of Matter

Problem 28a

Chapter 18, Problem 28a

A flask contains a mixture of neon (Ne), krypton (Kr), and radon (Rn) gases. Compare the average kinetic energies of the three types of atoms.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that the average kinetic energy of a gas particle is related to its temperature, not its mass. According to the kinetic theory of gases, the average kinetic energy of a gas particle is given by the formula:

\frac{3 k T}{2}

, where

k

is the Boltzmann constant and

T

is the temperature in Kelvin.

Recognize that since the gases are in the same flask, they are at the same temperature. Therefore, the average kinetic energy of neon (Ne), krypton (Kr), and radon (Rn) atoms is the same, as it depends solely on the temperature.

Consider the implications of the kinetic theory: despite differences in atomic mass, the average kinetic energy is equal for all gases at a given temperature. This is because kinetic energy is a function of temperature, not mass.

Reflect on the concept that while the average kinetic energy is the same, the speed of the atoms will differ due to their masses. Lighter atoms like neon will move faster than heavier atoms like radon at the same temperature.

Conclude that the comparison of average kinetic energies for Ne, Kr, and Rn in the flask is straightforward: they are equal, as they depend only on the temperature of the system.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Kinetic Theory of Gases

The kinetic theory of gases states that gas particles are in constant random motion and that their kinetic energy is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas. This means that at a given temperature, all gases have the same average kinetic energy, regardless of their mass or type.

Temperature and Kinetic Energy

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. In a mixture of gases at thermal equilibrium, such as neon, krypton, and radon in a flask, the average kinetic energy of the atoms is the same for all types of gases, as it depends solely on the temperature.

Mass and Velocity in Gas Particles

While the average kinetic energy of gas particles is the same at a given temperature, their velocities differ due to their masses. Lighter gas particles, like neon, move faster than heavier ones, like krypton and radon, because kinetic energy is distributed as 1/2 mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity.

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