Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 16 - Think and Explain - Page 317-318: 59

Answer

The faster uranium hexafluoride molecules containing U-235 will diffuse at a greater rate than the slower molecules containing U-238.

Work Step by Step

Assume they are at the same temperature. This means they have the same average translational kinetic energy per molecule. $KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^{2}$. The mass of a $UF_{6}$ molecule containing U-235 is less than that of a uranium hexafluoride molecule containing U-238, so the speed v must be greater to have the same average kinetic energy.
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