Question

Let $\overline{v},v_{rms}$ and $v_p$, respectively, denote the mean speed, root mean square speed and most probable speed of the molecules in an ideal monatiomc gas at absolute temperature $T$. The mass of a molecules is $m$. Then

• A. No molecule can have speed less than $v_p/\sqrt{2}$
• B. No molecule can have a speed greater than $\sqrt{2}{v}_{rms}$
• C. $v_p<\overline{v}<v_{rms}$
• D. The average kinetic energy of a molecule is $\frac{3}{4}m{v}_P^2$

Answer 1

Answer: (C), (D)

$v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{3RT}{M}},\overline{v}=\sqrt{\frac{8}{\pi }\cdot \frac{RT}{M}}\approx \sqrt{\frac{2.5RT}{M}}$
and $v_p=\sqrt{\frac{2RT}{M}}$
From these expressions we can see that
$v_p<\overline{v}<v_{rms}$
Second, $v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}{v}_p$
and average kinetic energy of a gas molecule
$=\frac{1}{2}m{v}_{rms}^2$
$=\frac{1}{2}m{\left(\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}{v}_p\right)}^2=\frac{3}{4}m{v}_p^2$.