STANDARDPhysics-Kinetic Theory of Gases

STANDARD Physics Maxwell's Distribution MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Medium-Class 11

vᵣₘₛ, vₐᵥ and vₘₚ are root mean square, average and most probable speeds of molecules of a gas obeying Maxwell's velocity distribution. Which of the following statements is correct

A

vᵣₘₛ < vₐᵥ < vₘₚ

B

vᵣₘₛ > vₐᵥ > vₘₚ

C

vₘₚ < vᵣₘₛ < vₐᵥ

D

vₘₚ > vᵣₘₛ > vₐᵥ

Correct Answer

Option B

Detailed Explanation

The correct order of speeds for a gas obeying Maxwell's distribution is vᵣₘₛ > vₐᵥ > vₘₚ. This is derived from the formulas for each speed: vᵣₘₛ = √(3kT/m), vₘₚ = √(2kT/m), and vₐᵥ = √(8kT/πm).

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