[Physics] To find average speed of gas molecule when the temperature is incresed

homework-and-exercisesideal-gasthermodynamics

We are given moles of gas let say $n$.
Temperature is increased from $T_1$ to $T_2$.
Volume is held constant at $V_0$.
We need to find the average speed of gas molecule when the temperature $T_2$ is achieved.

I am confused to use $v= \sqrt{\dfrac{3k_BT}{m}}$ or to use $v= \sqrt{\dfrac{8k_BT}{\pi m}}$
; we are given monatomic gas having atomic $m = 6.4 \times 10^{-25} \:\rm kg$.

Please explain me which formula is applicable here and why.

Best Answer

The distribution of speeds in an ideal gas is given by the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. There are a variety of average speeds e.g. the most probable speed, the mean speed and the root mean square speed. Which one you use will depend on the application. The two equations you give are for the RMS speed:

$$ \sqrt{\langle v^2 \rangle} = \sqrt{\frac{3kT}{m}} $$

and the mean speed:

$$ \langle v \rangle = \sqrt{\frac{8kT}{\pi m}} $$

The question doesn't make it clear what speed is required, but I would guess that it is the mean.

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