Oxygen molecules are 16 times more massive than hydrogen molecules. At a given temperature, the average molecular kinetic energy of oxygen, compared to hydrogen
Question
Oxygen molecules are 16 times more massive than hydrogen molecules. At a given temperature, the average molecular kinetic energy of oxygen, compared to hydrogen
Solution
The kinetic energy of a molecule is given by the equation KE = 1/2 mv^2, where m is the mass of the molecule and v is its velocity. At a given temperature, all molecules, regardless of their mass, have the same average kinetic energy. This is known as the equipartition theorem.
So, even though oxygen molecules are 16 times more massive than hydrogen molecules, their average kinetic energy at a given temperature is the same. However, because oxygen molecules are more massive, they will move slower than hydrogen molecules, which are lighter and will move faster. This is because the kinetic energy is distributed between the mass and the velocity of the molecules. If the mass is greater, the velocity must be smaller to maintain the same kinetic energy, and vice versa.
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