Practice question
Question
What is the collision frequency of a gas molecule with a mean free path of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ m and average speed of 400 m/s?
Explanation
**Degrees of freedom** f counts independent motions, monatomic 3 translational, diatomic 3 translational +2 rotational =5 at room T, vibrational adds at high T, molar specific heat at constant volume C_v = f/2 R, at constant pressure C_p = C_v + R, ratio γ = C_p/C_v = (f+2)/f, monatomic γ=5/3≈1.67, diatomic γ=7/5=1.4. Collision frequency = ()/(l).(400)/(1.0 × 10⁻⁷) = 4.0 × 10⁹ s⁻¹. Substituting values gives 4.0 × 10⁹ s⁻¹, which matches expected kinetic theory result, confirming mean free path λ = 1/(√2 n π d²), ideal gas law P V = n R T and v_rms = √(3 R T/M) relations.
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