Effusion of a 1 : 1 mixture of two gases through a small...

Effusion of a $1 : 1$ mixture of two gases through a small pinhole produces the results shown below.
(a) Which gas molecules- yellow or blue- have a higher average speed?
(b) If the yellow molecules have a molecular mass of 25 amu, what is the molecular mass of the blue
molecules?

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Key Concepts

Molecular Mass

Molecular mass is a measure of the mass of a single molecule of a substance. It plays a crucial role in determining the kinetic behavior of gases, where, under equal temperature conditions, molecules with lower molecular mass will typically exhibit higher average speeds than those with greater molecular mass.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

Kinetic Molecular Theory provides the framework for understanding the motion of gas molecules. It states that gas molecules are in constant, random motion, and their average speed is determined by the temperature and their molecular mass, thereby explaining the differences in effusion rates.

Effusion

Effusion is the process by which gas molecules escape through a small opening or pinhole into a lower-pressure area, typically a vacuum, often with minimal interactions between the molecules. It is a fundamental concept in understanding gas behavior when they pass through constricted spaces.

Graham's Law of Effusion

Graham's Law of Effusion establishes that the rate at which a gas effuses is inversely proportional to the square root of its molecular mass. This means that, at the same temperature, lighter gas molecules will effuse faster than heavier ones, providing a direct relationship between molecular speed and mass.

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