JEE MainPhysicsKinetic Theory of Gases
The average translational kinetic energy per molecule ( E ) versus absolute temperature ( T ) is plotted for three different ideal gases: Helium (monoatomic), Hydrogen (diatomic), and Methane (polyatomic). If the slopes of the resulting straight lines are m₁ , m₂ , and m₃ respectively, which of the following correctly relates these slopes?
Options
- Am₁ < m₂ < m₃
- Bm₁ = m₂ = m₃
- Cm₁ > m₂ > m₃
- Dm₁ = m₂ < m₃
Correct answer
B. m₁ = m₂ = m₃
Step-by-step solution
The average translational kinetic energy per molecule for any ideal gas, regardless of its atomicity or molar mass, is given by: E = 3 2 k_B T where k_B is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature. This equation represents a straight line passing through the origin with a slope of 3 2 k_B . Since this slope is a universal constant for all ideal gases, the graphs for Helium, Hydrogen, and Methane will have the exact same slope. Therefore, m₁ = m₂ = m₃ . Answer: m₁ = m₂ = m₃