Question

Suppose that the average speed (vrms) of carbon dioxide molecules (molar mass 44.0 g/mol) in a flame is found to be 1.90 105 m/s. what temperature does this represent? g

Answer 1

To determine the temperature of the gas, we need an expression which would relate the average speed of the molecules of the gas and the temperature. From my readings, it is said that the average kinetic energy ( energy of an object in motion) of the molecules of a gas is directly related to the temperature of the gas system. Since velocity or speed is directly related to kinetic energy, it should be that temperature is directly related to the average speed. The expression would be:

v^2 = 3RT/M
(1.90x10^5)^2 = [3(8.314)T] / [44.0(1/1000)]
T = 63683746.3 K

The temperature would be 63683746.3 K.