Problem 75 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

Determine whether each of the following changes will increase, decrease, or not affect the rate with which gas molecules collide with the walls of their container: (a) increasing the volume of the container, (b) increasing the temperature, (c) increasing the molar mass of the gas.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) Increasing the volume of the container will decrease the rate at which gas molecules collide with the walls, as the molecules have more space and increased distance from the walls. (b) Increasing the temperature will increase the rate of gas molecule collisions with the walls due to increased kinetic energy and faster movement of molecules. (c) Increasing the molar mass of the gas will decrease the rate of gas molecule collisions with the walls, as heavier molecules move slower, taking longer to collide with the walls.

Step 1: Explanation:

By increasing the volume of the container, the gas molecules have more space to move around. This means that the distance between the gas molecules and the container walls increases, which reduces the frequency of collisions. Therefore, we can conclude that increasing the volume will decrease the rate at which gas molecules collide with the walls of the container. #b) Increasing the Temperature#

Step 2: Explanation:

When the temperature is increased, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases. This means that gas molecules move faster, which leads to more frequent collisions with the container walls. So, increasing the temperature will increase the rate at which gas molecules collide with the walls of the container. #c) Increasing the Molar Mass of the Gas#

Step 3: Explanation:

When the molar mass of the gas increases, the individual gas molecules become heavier and move slower, assuming constant temperature. A slower-moving gas molecule will take longer to collide with the container walls, which means that the frequency of the collisions will decrease. Increasing the molar mass of the gas will decrease the rate at which gas molecules collide with the walls of the container. To summarize, increasing the volume of the container will decrease the rate of gas molecule collisions with the walls, increasing the temperature will increase the rate of gas molecule collisions with the walls, and increasing the molar mass of the gas will decrease the rate of gas molecule collisions with the walls.