Estimate the number of collisions per second suffered by a molecule in a sample of hydrogen at STP. The mean free path (average distance covered by a molecule between successive collisions) = 1.38 × 10^–5 cm.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Number of collision per second means frequency of collision.

In kinetic theory of ideal gas, the average energy is given by

Where R=gas constant=8.31Jmol^-1K^-1

T-temperature of gas

M=molar mass of gas

Molar mass of hydrogen =2 amu=2kg/mol

Given

Distance between successive collision 1.38 × 10^–5 cm

1.3810^-8m

Time between two collisions

Frequency of collision =

Number of collision per second means frequency of collision which is equal to 1.2310¹¹.

Estimate the number of collisions per second suffered by a molecule in a sample of hydrogen at STP. The mean free path (average distance covered by a molecule between successive collisions) = 1.38 × 10–5 cm.