Question

At a given temperature the root mean square velocities of oxygen and hydrogen molecules are in the ratio

• A. 16 : 1
• B. 1 : 16
• C. 4 : 1
• D. 1 : 4

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

1 : 4

Answer 2

$v_{rms} \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{M}};$ so $\frac{(v_{rms})_{O_{2}}}{(v_{rms})_{H_{2}}} = \sqrt{\frac{M_{H_{2}}}{M_{O_{2}}}} = \sqrt{\frac{2}{32}} = 1:4$