College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 13 - Conceptual Questions - Page 495: 10

Answer

Since the volume, pressure, and temperature are equal for both gases, the number density for each gas is equal. However, since each nitrogen particle has a higher mass than each helium particle, nitrogen has a higher mass density.

Work Step by Step

We can find an expression for the number density $\frac{N}{V}$: $PV = NkT$ $\frac{N}{V} = \frac{P}{kT}$ Since the volume, pressure, and temperature are equal for both gases, the number density for each gas is equal. However, since each nitrogen particle has a higher mass than each helium particle, nitrogen has a higher mass density.
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