What is the relationship between RMS speed and molecular weight?

What is the relationship between RMS speed and molecular weight?

Step 1: Understand what RMS speed is. RMS speed is a way to measure the average speed of gas molecules.
Step 2: Know what molecular weight is. Molecular weight is the weight of one molecule of a substance.
Step 3: Learn the formula for RMS speed: RMS speed = sqrt(3RT/M), where R is the gas constant, T is temperature, and M is molecular weight.
Step 4: Notice that in the formula, molecular weight (M) is in the denominator under a square root.
Step 5: This means that as molecular weight increases, the RMS speed decreases. This is called being inversely proportional.
Step 6: Conclude that if you have a heavier molecule (higher molecular weight), it will move slower on average (lower RMS speed).

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