Question

When someone standing at one end of a large room opens a bottle of vinegar, it may take several minutes for a person at the other end to smell it. gas molecules at room temperature move at very high velocities, so what is responsible for the delay in detection of the vinegar?

Answer 1

Out of the following given choice:

A.  The increase in the airspace occupied by vinegar molecules

B. The chemical reaction with nerves, which is slower than other sensory processes

C. Attractive forces between the air and vinegar molecules

D. Random collisions between the air and vinegar molecules.

The answer is D. While the particles may be moving at high velocities even at room temperatures, the delay is due to the numerous collisions between the vinegar molecules and the air molecules.This changes the vinegar’s molecules directions from straight lines to random unpredictable paths