If an average hydrogen atom in Earth's atmosphere has a velocity of 2.5 km/s, what would be the average velocity of an oxygen molecule in Earth's atmosphere? Note that the atomic mass of an oxygen atom is 16 times that of a hydrogen atom.
A) 0.16 km/s
B) 2.5 km/s
C) 0.62 km/s
D) 0.44 km/s
E) 0.25 km/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average velocity of an oxygen molecule in Earth's atmosphere would be 0.62 km/s. This is because the average velocity of a gas molecule is inversely proportional to the square root of its mass. Therefore, the average velocity of an oxygen molecule, which has a mass 16 times that of a hydrogen atom, would be 1/4 the average velocity of a hydrogen atom.

If an Average Hydrogen Atom in Earth's Atmosphere Has a Velocity