A nitrogen molecule (N₂) has a mass of 4.7 × 10^-26 kg, and a carbon dioxide molecule (CO₂) has a mass of 7.3 × 10^-26 kg. On a day when the temperature is 18°C (64°F), the N₂ molecules will have a: A)greater average kinetic energy and greater average speed than the CO₂ molecules. B)smaller average kinetic energy but greater average speed than the CO₂ molecules. C)smaller average speed than the CO₂ molecules but the same average kinetic energy. D)greater average speed than the CO₂ molecules but the same average kinetic energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At a given temperature, all gases have the same average kinetic energy due to the kinetic theory of gases. However, lighter molecules, like nitrogen in this case, will have a greater average speed than heavier molecules like carbon dioxide, because kinetic energy is also a function of mass and velocity.

A Nitrogen Molecule (N2) Has a Mass of 4

A Nitrogen Molecule (N₂) Has a Mass of 4