The atmosphere in our physics lecture room is composed primarily of nitrogen N 2

Question

The atmosphere in our physics lecture room is composed primarily of nitrogen N2 (78%) and oxygen O2. On an average day, the temperature of our room is around 19.4 oC.

1) What is average speed (rms) of the nitrogen molecules?
vrms =

2) What is the average speed (rms) of the oxygen molecules?
vrms =

3) Now lets assume we turn the heat up a bit and the air temperature doubles to 38.8 oC. Now what is the average speed (rms) of the nitrogen molecules?
vrms =

4) Now what is the average speed (rms) of the oxygen molecules?
vrms =

5) For comparison, what is the speed of sound at 20 oC?
vsound =

Explanation / Answer

Vrms = ?(3kT/m)
diatomic oxygen m = 32amu * 1.673e-27kg/amu = 5.35e-26 kg
diatomic nitrogen m = 28amu * 1.673e-27kg/amu = 4.68e-26 kg
k = 1.38e-23 J/K
19.4

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