Q11(a). Equilibration of molecular kinetic energies
Initially all gas molecules in a rigid adiabatic container have translational kinetic energy 6.0×10⁻²¹ J. After randomisation they have a Maxwell distribution. Compute the final temperature and mean translational kinetic energy per mole.
Answer in brief
T≈290 K and ⟨ Eₜᵣₐₙₛ⟩ₘ=3.61 kJ mol⁻¹, assuming redistribution among translational degrees of freedom.
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CoversEquilibration of molecular kinetic energiesKinetic theory
All parts of Question 11
- 11(a) Equilibration of molecular kinetic energies10 marks
- 11(b) Decay of an excited molecule5 marks
- 11(c) Degeneracy in a cubic box5 marks