The apparatus shown here has two gas-filled containers and one empty container, all attached to a hollow horizontal tube. When the valves are opened and the gases are allowed to mix at constant temperature, what is the distribution of atoms in each container?

Key Concepts

Gas Laws

Gas laws describe the behavior of gases under various conditions of temperature, pressure, and volume. Key laws include Boyle's Law, Charles's Law, and Avogadro's Law, which collectively explain how gas volume changes with pressure and temperature. Understanding these laws is essential for predicting how gases will behave when allowed to mix or expand in a given system.

Effusion and Diffusion

Effusion is the process by which gas molecules escape from a container through a small opening, while diffusion refers to the mixing of gas molecules due to their random motion. Graham's Law of Effusion states that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. These concepts are crucial for understanding how gases will distribute themselves in the containers after the valves are opened.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory explains the behavior of gases in terms of particle motion. It posits that gas particles are in constant, random motion and that their collisions with container walls create pressure. This theory helps to understand how temperature affects the speed of gas particles and, consequently, the distribution of gases in the containers when mixed.