Question

Of the following gases which will have the lowest rate of effusion at a given temperature?A. SO3B. CH4C. NH3D. HBr E. HCl

Answer 1

Answer: HBr has the lowest rate of effusion at a given temperature.

Explanation: The effusion rate usually increases with increase in temperature because the kinetic energy of the gaseous molecules increases. But it was not true for gases having heavier mass. This was explained by Graham's Law.

Graham's Law states that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molecular weight.

$(\text{Rate of effusion})_A\propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{\text{Mol. mass}_A}}$

We are given different gases with different Molecular masses. The gas having larger Molecular mass will have the lowest rate of effusion.

Mol. Mass of $SO_3$ = 80 g/mol

Mol. Mass of $CH_4$ = 16 g/mol

Mol. Mass of $NH_3$ = 17 g/mol

Mol. Mass of HBr = 81 g/mol

Mol. Mass of HCl = 36 g/mol

As, Mol. mass of HBr is the highest, so its rate of effusion will be the lowest.