If He(g) has an average kinetic energy of 6670 J/mol under certain conditions, what is the root mean square speed of Cl2(g) molecules under the same conditions?

1 Answer
Nov 19, 2016

we know

#V_"rms"=sqrt((RT)/M)#

where

#V_"rms"->"RMS velocity of the gas"#

#T->"Absolute temperature of the gas"#

#M->"Molar mass of the gas"#

#R->"Universal gas constant"#

So average molar kinetic energy of the gas

#E=1/2MV_"rms"^2=1/2RT#

This equation reveals that molar KE is independent of the nature of the gas . It only depends on temperature as ideal behavior is concerned. So both He(g) and #Cl_2(g)# will have same average #KE=6670"J/mol"# .under the same condition of temperature.

So for #Cl_2(g)#

#1/2M_(Cl_2(g))V_(rmsCl_2)^2=6670#

#color(red)("Taking atomic mass of Cl"=35.5"g/mol"=35.5xx10^-3"kg/mol")#

#=>V_(rmsCl_2(g))^2=(6670xx2)/(2xx35.5xx10^-3)#

#=>V_(rmsCl_2(g))=sqrt(6670000/35.5)~~433.5ms^-2#