What is the average speed (actually the root-mean-square speed)of a argon atom at 27°C?
A) 4.11 m/s
B) 13.7 m/s
C) 130 m/s
D) 433 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The root-mean-square speed of a gas molecule can be calculated using the formula $v_{rms} = \sqrt{\frac{3kT}{m}}$, where $v_{rms}$ is the root-mean-square speed, $k$ is the Boltzmann constant ($1.38 \times 10^{-23} J/K$), $T$ is the temperature in Kelvin, and $m$ is the mass of a gas molecule in kilograms. For argon at 27°C (or 300K), the calculation yields a value close to 433 m/s, making option D correct.

What Is the Average Speed (Actually the Root-Mean-Square Speed)of a Argon