Chapter 1, Problem 1B.3BE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The fraction of ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$ molecules at $40\text{0 K}$ that has speeds in the range $400-40{\text{5 m s}}^{-1}$ has to be calculated using the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of speeds.

Concept introduction: The speeds of individual molecules spread across a wide range in a gas and the gas collisions ensure that their speeds change constantly.  The distribution of speeds is identified by recognizing that the molecules possess kinetic energy and the distribution of energy over the molecules is determined with the help of Maxwell Boltzmann distribution.