Question

If a balloon is filled with a mixture of helium and oxygen, which gas will escape faster? Why?

Answer 1

Answer:

The rate of leakage will be higher for helium; its molecules move about 3 times faster than oxygen’s

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Molar mass helium = 4.0 g/mol

Molar mass O2 = 32 g/mol

Step 2: Graham's law

Graham's Law of Effusion states that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular mass : 1/(Mr)^0.5

Rate of escape for He = 1/(4.0)^0.5 = 0.5

Rate of escape for O2 = 1/(32)^0.5 = 0.177

The rate of leakage will be higher for helium; its molecules move about 3 times faster than oxygen’s