Which of the following gases will have the highest root mean square speed at the same temperature?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which of the following gases will have the highest root mean square speed at the same temperature?
O2
N2
H2
CO2
The root mean square speed is inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass. H2 has the lowest molar mass, hence it has the highest root mean square speed.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which of the following gases will have the highest root mean square speed at the same temperature?
Solution: The root mean square speed is inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass. H2 has the lowest molar mass, hence it has the highest root mean square speed.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that root mean square speed is a measure of how fast gas molecules are moving.
Step 2: Know that the root mean square speed depends on the molar mass of the gas.
Step 3: Remember that lighter gases (with lower molar mass) move faster than heavier gases at the same temperature.
Step 4: Identify the gases given in the question and find their molar masses.
Step 5: Compare the molar masses of the gases. The gas with the lowest molar mass will have the highest root mean square speed.
Step 6: Conclude that H2 (hydrogen) has the lowest molar mass among common gases, so it has the highest root mean square speed.
