Skip to main content
Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior
Chapter 10, Problem 98

Which has a higher average speed, H2 at 150 K or He at 375 °C?

Verified Solution

Video duration:
7m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Kinetic Molecular Theory

The Kinetic Molecular Theory explains the behavior of gases in terms of particles in constant motion. According to this theory, the average kinetic energy of gas particles is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas in Kelvin. This means that at higher temperatures, gas particles move faster, leading to higher average speeds.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:19
Kinetic Molecular Theory

Temperature Conversion

To compare the average speeds of H2 and He, it is essential to convert temperatures to the same scale. The temperature of H2 is given in Kelvin (150 K), while He's temperature is in Celsius (375 °C). The conversion from Celsius to Kelvin is done by adding 273.15, resulting in 648.15 K for He, which is crucial for accurate comparisons.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:10
Temperature Conversion Example

Molar Mass and Speed

The average speed of gas particles is inversely related to their molar mass, as described by Graham's law of effusion. Lighter gases, such as H2 (molar mass ≈ 2 g/mol), will generally have higher average speeds compared to heavier gases like He (molar mass ≈ 4 g/mol) at the same temperature. This relationship is important for determining which gas has a higher average speed under the given conditions.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:11
Molar Mass Concept