Question

The average speeds of gas molecules in cylinders A, B, C, and D are 0.01 m/s, 0.005 m/s, 0.1 m/s, and 0.5 m/s, respectively. Which cylinder contains gas that is closest to absolute zero?

Answer 1

We can relate the average speed of the gas molecules by its kinetic energy. The kinetic energy is the work done by the object due to its motion. It is represented by the formula of the half the velocity squared multiply by the mass of the object. The absolute zero theory is the assumption that at 0 Kelvin or -273.15 degrees Celsius, the gas molecules stop moving. It is because the temperature is severely cold enough to allow movement of the gas molecules. The gas molecule that is closest to the absolute zero is in cylinder B because it moves so slow and its movement is almost near to the absolute zero theory.