Which of the following gases has the highest average speed at 400K?

A. NO_2A.NO2
B. O_2B.O2
C. F_2C.F2
D. Cl_2D.Cl2
According to my answer sheet, the correct answer is AA, but I don't understand why. From my understanding, shouldn't the gas with the lowest molar mass have the highest speed?

1 Answer
Dec 17, 2017

B. O_2B.O2 should be the correct answer for the reasoning given.

Explanation:

Just as you stated, the gas with the lowest molar mass should have the highest speed, and O_2O2 has the lowest molar mass. This relationship is true since KE = 1/2mv^2KE=12mv2, so if the temperature, also known as the average kinetic energy, is constant, mass is inversely related to velocity.