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II. Short Answer Questions · Q4

Q.Write the expression for rms speed, average speed and most probable speed of a gas molecule.

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Step 1. Root mean square speed: vrms=v2‾=3kTm=3RTM=1.73kT/mv_{rms}=\sqrt{\overline{v^2}}=\sqrt{\dfrac{3kT}{m}}=\sqrt{\dfrac{3RT}{M}}=1.73\sqrt{kT/m}.

Step 2. Mean (average) speed, obtained from the Maxwell distribution: vˉ=8kTπm=8RTπM=1.60kT/m\bar v=\sqrt{\dfrac{8kT}{\pi m}}=\sqrt{\dfrac{8RT}{\pi M}}=1.60\sqrt{kT/m}.

Step 3. Most probable speed, the peak of the Maxwell distribution: vmp=2kTm=2RTM=1.41kT/mv_{mp}=\sqrt{\dfrac{2kT}{m}}=\sqrt{\dfrac{2RT}{M}}=1.41\sqrt{kT/m}. …

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