A sample of an ideal gas is slowly compressed to one-half its original volume with no change in temperature.What happens to the average speed of the molecules in the sample?
A) It does not change.
B) It becomes 4 times as great.
C) It becomes 2 times as great.
D) It becomes 1/2 as great.
E) It becomes 1/4 as great.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As the gas is compressed slowly with no change in temperature, the gas law equation PV=nRT indicates that the pressure increases, while the volume decreases. However, as the temperature remains constant, the kinetic energy of the molecules, which determines their average speed, also remains constant. Therefore, the average speed of the molecules in the sample does not change.

A Sample of an Ideal Gas Is Slowly Compressed to One-Half