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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Zamzen on April 27, 2011, 04:47:30 AM

Title: Fraction of argon gas at 400k energy > 10kJ
Post by: Zamzen on April 27, 2011, 04:47:30 AM

Hi all!

Question states:
Calculate the fraction of atoms in a sample of argon gas at 400k that have an energy of 10kJ or greater.

I have NO ide how to tackle this problem. It is a question in my chemical kinetics chapter. What i do know is the avarage kinetic energy formula Wk=RT*3/2 where R is the gas constant 8.31 T is the absolute temperature. From there I do not know how to proceed.

Title: Re: Fraction of argon gas at 400k energy > 10kJ
Post by: Schrödinger on April 27, 2011, 06:20:24 AM

Usually, such fractions are calculated using the Boltzmann distribution : for the fractional number of particles N_i/N occupying a set of states i possessing energy E_i, N_i is proportional to $$ e^{(-E_{i}/(k_{B}T))} /$$

Title: Re: Fraction of argon gas at 400k energy > 10kJ
Post by: Zamzen on April 29, 2011, 10:39:15 PM

Thank you!!!