A mixture of chlorine, hydrogen, and oxygen gas is in a container at STP. Which curve represents oxygen gas? (LO 10.8) (a) Curve (a) (b) Curve (b) (c) Curve (c)

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the gases involved: chlorine (Cl2), hydrogen (H2), and oxygen (O2).

Recall that the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve shows the distribution of speeds of gas molecules at a given temperature.

Understand that lighter gases have higher average speeds and thus their distribution curves peak at higher speeds.

Compare the molar masses of the gases: H2 (2 g/mol), O2 (32 g/mol), and Cl2 (70.9 g/mol).

Determine that the curve with the highest peak (Curve A) corresponds to the lightest gas (H2), the curve with the lowest peak (Curve C) corresponds to the heaviest gas (Cl2), and the remaining curve (Curve B) represents O2.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution describes the distribution of speeds of particles in a gas. It shows how the number of molecules varies with their speed at a given temperature. Each gas has a unique distribution curve based on its molecular mass, influencing the average speed and kinetic energy of the particles.

Molecular Mass and Speed

The speed of gas molecules is inversely related to their molecular mass at a constant temperature. Lighter gases, like hydrogen, will have higher average speeds compared to heavier gases, such as oxygen. This difference in speed affects the shape and position of their respective Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curves.

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) is defined as 0 degrees Celsius (273.15 K) and 1 atmosphere of pressure. At STP, gases behave ideally, and their properties can be compared more easily. Understanding STP is crucial for analyzing gas behavior and interpreting the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curves in the context of the question.

Recommended video:

Guided course

01:08

Standard Temperature and Pressure

Related Practice

Textbook Question

The coldest temperature recorded at ground level on Earth was -89.2 °C at the Vostok Station in Antarctica. What is the speed of a nitrogen molecule at this temperature? (LO 10.9)(a) 933 m/s (b) 40.2 m/s(c) 404 m/s (d) 12.8 m/s

Textbook Question

Two 112-L tanks are filled with gas at 330 K. One contains 5.00 mol of Kr, and the other contains 5.00 mol of O₂. Considering the assumptions of kinetic–molecular theory, rank the gases from low to high for each of the following properties.

Textbook Question

Trimix is a gas mixture consisting of oxygen, helium, and nitrogen used for deep scuba dives. The helium is included to reduce the effects of nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity that occur when too much nitrogen and oxygen dissolve in the blood. A tank of Trimix has a total pressure of 200 atm, and the partial pressure of He is 34 atm. What is the percent by volume of He in the tank? (LO 10.7) (a) 17% (b) 38% (c) 23% (d) 83%

Textbook Question

The apparatus shown consists of three bulbs connected by stopcocks. What is the pressure inside the system when the stopcocks are opened? Assume that the lines connecting the bulbs have zero volume and that the temperature remains constant. (LO 10.3, 10.7)(a) 1.10 atm (b) 1.73 atm(c) 4.14 atm (d) 1.41 atm

Textbook Question

Two identical 732.0-L tanks each contain 212.0 g of gas at 293 K, with neon in one tank and nitrogen in the other. Based on the assumptions of kinetic–molecular theory, rank the gases from low to high for each of the following properties.

(a) Average speed