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Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior
Chapter 10, Problem 100

A big-league fastball travels at about 45 m/s. At what temperature (°C) do helium atoms have this same average speed?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

Kinetic Molecular Theory explains the behavior of gases in terms of particles in constant motion. It states that the average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas in Kelvin. This theory helps relate the speed of gas particles to temperature, allowing us to calculate the temperature at which helium atoms would have a specific average speed.
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Kinetic Molecular Theory

Average Speed of Gas Particles

The average speed of gas particles can be determined using the equation derived from kinetic energy principles. For an ideal gas, the average speed (v) is related to temperature (T) and molar mass (M) by the equation v = sqrt((3kT)/m), where k is the Boltzmann constant and m is the mass of a single particle. This relationship is crucial for finding the temperature corresponding to a given speed.
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Temperature Conversion

Temperature in scientific calculations is typically expressed in Kelvin, which is an absolute temperature scale. To convert from Celsius to Kelvin, one must add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. Understanding this conversion is essential when calculating the temperature at which helium atoms achieve a specific average speed, as the calculations must be performed in Kelvin.
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