A sample of an ideal gas is slowly compressed to one-half its original volume with no change in temperature. What happens to the average speed of the molecules in the sample?
A) It does not change.
B) It quadruples.
C) It doubles.
D) It halves.
E) cannot be determined without more information

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The equation for the average speed of gas molecules is v=sqrt(3kT/m), where k is the Boltzmann constant, T is the temperature, and m is the mass of the gas molecule. Since the temperature is constant and mass is unchanged, the only variable that could affect the average speed is the velocity. Therefore, the average speed of the gas molecules does not change when the gas is compressed.

A Sample of an Ideal Gas Is Slowly Compressed to One-Half