Chapter 10, Problem 98RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The molecular mass of an unknown gas and the identification of that gas is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Graham’s law explains the phenomenon of diffusion and effusion in gaseous molecules. In diffusion, gaseous molecules are mixed with other gaseous molecule, or intermingle with the molecules of air because of their random motions. Effusion is the movement of gaseous molecules from system to vacuum through a small hole or a narrow space.

Graham’s law explains that the effusion rate of a gas in a mixture is indirectly proportional to the molecular mass $\left(M\right)$ of the respective gas.

Mathematically written as:

$\text{effusion rate }\alpha \frac{1}{\sqrt{M}}$