Question #396f4

1 Answer

Helium will have the higher velocity given that both gases are at the same temperature.

Explanation:

If both gases are at the same temperature, their kinetic energy (KE) values will be equal to each other.

KE = 1/2 mv^2

Since the mass of He is 4g/mol and CO_2 is 44g/mol the He atoms must be moving much faster than the CO_2 molecules since their mass is so much lower.

You can calculate how much faster He atoms will move by using Graham's law. Here is a video discussing how to use this law. The sample uses He and N_2, to solve for your question you would just substitute in the CO_2 value instead of nitrogen then re-calculate.

Hope this helps!