Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 18 - The Micro/Macro Connection - Conceptual Questions - Page 522: 4

Answer

a) $100\;\rm nm$ b) $400\;\rm nm$

Work Step by Step

a) We know that the mean free path of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure, so $$\lambda\propto \dfrac{1}{P}$$ Hence, $$\dfrac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\dfrac{P_2}{P_1}$$ If the pressure of the gas is doubled while all other state variables are held constant, the mean free path of molecules in the gas will decrease. v $$\dfrac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\dfrac{2P_1}{P_1}$$ Thus, $$\lambda_2=\frac{1}{2}\lambda_1=\frac{1}{2}(200)=\color{red}{\bf 100}\;\rm nm$$ --- b) We know that the mean free path of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature, so $$\lambda\propto T$$ $$\dfrac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\dfrac{T_1}{T_2}$$ $$\dfrac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2}=\dfrac{T_1}{2T_1}$$ Hence, $$\lambda_2=2\lambda_1=2(200)=\color{red}{\bf 400}\;\rm nm$$
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