Question

One side of a glass tank contains 40% helium, and the other side of the tank contains 20% helium. The sides are connected by a tube that the molecules are free to cross. What happens next? Explain what happens next by describing what the molecules do.

(a) Molecules with 40% helium move to the side with 20% helium.
(b) Molecules with 20% helium move to the side with 40% helium.
(c) Molecules stay evenly distributed between both sides.
(d) Molecules combine to form a 30% helium mixture on both sides.

Answer 1

Helium molecules will diffuse until an equal concentration is reached on both sides of the tank due to the natural tendency of gases to even out concentration gradients.

Step-by-step explanation:

When one side of a glass tank contains 40% helium and the other side contains 20% helium, and they are connected by a tube, the helium molecules will begin to diffuse from the side with a higher concentration to the side with a lower concentration. This is due to the natural tendency of gases to mix and spread out evenly in response to concentration gradients. Eventually, the molecules will become evenly distributed, resulting in both sides having the same concentration of helium. The process continues until there is no net movement of helium molecules between the two sides, which signifies that an equilibrium has been reached and the concentrations are equalized.