Chapter 20, Problem 68PQ

Consider a gas filling two connected chambers that are separated by a removable barrier (Fig. P20.68). The gas molecules on the left (red) are initially at a higher temperature than the ones on the right (blue). When the barrier between the two chambers is removed, the molecules begin to mix and move from one chamber to the other. a. Describe what happens to the temperature in the left chamber and in the right chamber as time goes on, once the barrier is open. Discuss in terms of the mixing of the molecules from each gas. b. Describe what happens to the most probable speed and average speed in the left chamber and in the right chamber as time goes on, once the barrier is open. Do they increase or decrease by the same factor? Explain.

FIGURE P20.68 Problems 68 and 69.