Question

Knowing that the atomic number of neon is greater than that of helium, at the same temperature and pressure, how does the speed of sound in helium gas compare to the speed of sound in neon gas?

Answer 1

greater in helium that in neon

Step-by-step explanation:

The expression of the speed of the sound in the gas is:-

`C_(Sound)=\sqrt {\frac {\gamma* RT}{M}}`

R is Gas constant

M is the molar mass of gas

T is the temperature

`\gamma` is the adiabatic constant

Thus, as seen from the formula,

The speed of the sound is inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass of the gas

So, Helium has lower molecular mass than neon and thus, The speed of the sound in helium is greater when compared to that of neon.