Identify the gas particle that travels the slowest. ne h2 co n2 o2

O2

Explanation:

The distribution of the speed of gas particles is represented via a Maxwell-Boltzmann graph which is essentially a plot of the velocity of gas particles vs the fraction of gas particles.

A proper assessment of the velocity can be made by measuring the root mean square velocity of the particles which is given as:

where, R = gas constant = 8.314 J/mol-K

T = temperature of gas in K

M = molecular weight of the gas

Based on equation (1), the velocity of the gas particle is inversely proportional to its molecular weight.

The molecular/atomic weights of the given gases are:

Ne = 20 g/mol

H2 = 2 g/mol

CO = 28 g/mol

N2 = 28 g/mol

O2 = 32 g/mol

Since O2 has the highest molecular weight, it will travel the slowest.