A mixture of two ideal gases A and B is in thermal equilibrium at 600 K.A molecule of A has one-fourth the mass of a molecule of B and the rms speed of molecules of A is 400 m/s.Determine the rms speed of molecules of B.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The root-mean-square (rms) speed of a molecule in an ideal gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its mass. Since the mass of a molecule of B is four times that of A, the rms speed of B will be half that of A. Given that the rms speed of A is 400 m/s, the rms speed of B will be 400 m/s divided by 2, which is 200 m/s.

A Mixture of Two Ideal Gases a and B Is