Final answer:
The RMS speed of helium atoms near the surface of the sun at a temperature of about 6500 K can be calculated using the formula Urms = sqrt(3RT/M), where R is the gas constant, T is the temperature in Kelvin, and M is the molar mass of helium. Substituting the values into the formula, the RMS speed is approximately 2179 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The root mean square (RMS) speed of helium atoms near the surface of the sun can be calculated using the formula:
Urms = sqrt(3RT/M)
where R is the gas constant, T is the temperature in Kelvin, and M is the molar mass of helium. For helium, the molar mass is 4 g/mol.
Substituting the values into the formula:
Urms = sqrt(3(8.314 J/mol*K)(6500 K)/(4 g/mol))
Simplifying the expression gives:
Urms = 2179 m/s
Therefore, the RMS speed of helium atoms near the surface of the sun at a temperature of about 6500 K is approximately 2179 m/s.