If the rms speed of oxygen molecules is 460 m/s at 0ºC,the rms speed of oxygen molecules at 273ºC is approximately
A)230 m/s
B)325 m/s
C)650 m/s
D)920 m/s
E)1.84 km/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The root-mean-square (rms) speed of gas molecules is proportional to the square root of the absolute temperature (T) in kelvins. Since the temperature increases from 273 K (0ºC) to 546 K (273ºC), the square root of the temperature ratio is sqrt(546/273) = sqrt(2). Therefore, the new rms speed is 460 m/s * sqrt(2) ≈ 650 m/s.

If the Rms Speed of Oxygen Molecules Is 460 M/s