Question

Gaseous helium is in thermal equilibrium with liquid helium at 6.4 K. The mass of a helium atom is 6.65 × 10−27 kg and Boltzmann’s constant is 1.38066 × 10−23 J/K. Determine the most probable speed of a helium atom. Answer in units of m/s.

Answer 1

162.78 m/s is the most probable speed of a helium atom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most probable speed:

`v_(mp)=\sqrt{(2K_bT)/(m)}`

`K_b`= Boltzmann’s constant =
`1.38066* 10^(-23) J/K`

T = temperature of the gas

m = mass of the gas particle.

Given, m =
`6.65* 10^(-27) kg`

T = 6.4 K

Substituting all the given values :

`v_(mp)=\sqrt{(2* 1.38066* 10^(-23) J/K* 6.4 K)/(6.65* 10^(-27) kg)}`

`v_(mp)=162.78 m/s`

162.78 m/s is the most probable speed of a helium atom.