Chapter 43, Problem 56P

To determine

To show that:

(a) if the expressions for Maxwell’s speed distribution energies for molecules in a gas is as given in Chapter 19, then the most probable energy is given by

K_p = ½ kT

Also verify the result with the energy distribution curve given in Fig 43.10 in the textbook, for T = 1.5x10⁷K.

(b) the most probable speed is given by

$v_p= \sqrt{\frac{2kT}{m}}$,

then find its value for protons at T = 1.5x10⁷K.

(c) the energy corresponding to the most probable speed (which is not the same as most probable energy) is

K_{v, p} = kT

And locate this quantity of the curve given in Fig 43.10.