Question

Calculate the ratio of the effusion rate of oxygen gas (O₂) to that of nitrogen gas (N₂). Express your answer in decimal form and calculate your answer to at least four sig figs.

Answer 1

Answer – We know the Graham’s law of the effusion and it is state that rate of effusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of the mass of its particles.

So the ratio of the effusion rate of oxygen gas (O₂) to that of nitrogen gas (N₂) as follow

Rate O₂ / Rate N₂ = √ MM(N₂) / MM(O₂)

                            = √ 28.0 g.mol^-1 / 32.0 g.mol^-1

                             = 0.9354

So, the ratio of the effusion rate of oxygen gas (O₂) to that of nitrogen gas (N₂) is 0.9354