Two monoatomic gases,helium and neon,are mixed in the ratio of 2 to 1 and are in thermal equilibrium at temperature T (the molar mass of neon = 5 $\times$ the molar mass of helium).If the average kinetic energy of each helium atom is U,calculate the average energy of each neon atom.
A)U
B)0.5U
C)2U
D)5U
E)U/5

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average kinetic energy of a gas molecule in thermal equilibrium is given by (3/2)kT, where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature. Since both helium and neon are in thermal equilibrium at the same temperature, their average kinetic energies will be the same, regardless of their molar masses. Therefore, the average kinetic energy of each neon atom is also U.

Two Monoatomic Gases,helium and Neon,are Mixed in the Ratio of 2