Chapter 16, Problem 16C.1BE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The time needed for a molecule of ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ to undergo a root-mean-square displacement of $1.0\text{cm}$ has to be calculated.

Concept introduction:

The root-mean-square displacement is defined as an evaluation of the variation of the particle position over time from the reference position.  It is denoted by ${\langle x^2\rangle }^{1/2}$ and expressed by the formula shown below.

    ${\langle x^2\rangle }^{1/2}={\left(2Dt\right)}^{1/2}$