At what temperature will the rms speed of oxygen molecules become just sufficient for escaping from the Earth's atmosphere? (Given : Mass of oxygen molecule (m) = 2.76 10-26 kg, Boltzmann's constant kB = 1.38 10-23 J K-1)
- 2.508 104 K
- 8.360 104 K
- 5.016 104 K
- 1.254 104 K
Answer
(2) 8.360 104 K
Solution
Escape speed from the Earth: ve = 11.2 km s-1 = 11.2 103 m s-1
Condition: vrms = 3kBTm = ve
⇒ T = mve23kB
= 2.76 10-26 (11.2 103)23 1.38 10-23
= 3.462 10-184.14 10-23
∴ T = 8.36 104 K
Answer: (2)