Name:

Thermal Physics
Physics Department

Due in 10/03/14

Data & Formulae: k = 1.38 x 10-23 JK-1

u = 1.66 x 10-27 kg
G = 6.67300 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2
2
PV = NkT
m<c > = 3/2 kT
F = GMM/r2
Tick the correct choice.
1. The average kinetic energy of the molecules in a gas is proportional to:
A the number of molecules in the gas.
B the specific heat capacity of the gas.

C the temperature of the gas.

D the total mass of the gas.

2. Two different sized boxes, P and Q, both contain the same number of oxygen molecules. The molecules in box P
have twice the root mean square speed of those in box Q. Which of the following must be correct?
A
B
C
D

The density of the gas in box P is greater than that in box Q.

The mean momentum of the molecules in box P is greater than those in box Q.
The pressure exerted by the gas in box P is greater than that in box Q.
The temperature of the gas in box P is greater than that in box Q

3. The relative masses of hydrogen and oxygen molecules are 2 and 32 respectively. For any given temperature, the
ratio of root mean square speed of oxygen molecules to the root mean square speed of hydrogen molecules is given
by:
A 1
C 4
4. Calculate the average molecular kinetic energy of a gas at 25C.

B 1/4
D 16

1
1

5.
a) A gas canister is able to withstand pressures of up to 10 atmospheres before exploding. A 2.5 x 104m3 canister
contains 3.2 x 1022 molecules of gas. Calculate the temperature that the canister would become unsafe at.
2
(1 atmosphere = 1.0 x 105 Pa)
b) Carbon dioxide canisters contain liquid CO2 at high pressure. Explain why the tap is opened solid carbon dioxide can
form.

2
6. An ideal gas is contained in a volume of 3.5 x 103 m3.
(a) Explain why the internal energy of an ideal gas is only kinetic.
(b) The pressure of the gas is 2.3x105 Pa and its temperature is 32 C. Calculate the number of molecules of gas within
this container.
3
7. An empty, sealed 2L plastic bottle is submerged in water. The weight of the water causes the sealed bottle to
collapse. If the collapsed bottle is at a depth where the pressure is 3x105 Pa, estimate the volume of the bottle when at
this depth (surface pressure is 1x105 Pa). Assume that the temperature does not change.
2

8. A volume of nitrogen gas is heated to 55C. If nitrogen molecules have a relative molecular mass of 14,
calculate the root mean square speed of the molecules.
2

9. An expression relating the Pressure, P, of a gas of N molecules of molecular mass, m, moving at mean
square speed <c2> in a volume, V is:
2
Use this expression to calculate the root mean square speed of a gas of density 7kgm -3 at a pressure of
500kPa.
2
10. a) If you want to investigate how the pressure of a gas depends on the volume of the gas, two variables
must be kept constant. What are they?
b ) Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus you would use.
c) How would you process the readings you have taken in order to produce the graph shown above?
Sketch a graph of the results showing the axes labels

11 a) A student investigates how the pressure of a gas depends on its temperature.

(i) To carry out this experiment, two variables must be kept constant. What are they?
(ii) Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus the student could use.
(iii) State one precaution the student should take to improve the quality of the results.
b) In the space below sketch a graph to show how the pressure of an ideal gas
depends on its temperature. Add any key values to your temperature axis

12 A hot air balloon rises. The volume of the balloon on the ground at 20C was 1500m3. What is the volume
of the balloon when the balloon rises into colder air at 5C? What two things have you assumed in your
calculations?
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