Question

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A vessel of volume V contains a mixture of 1 mole of Hydrogen and 1 mole of Oxygen (both considered as ideal). Let f₁(v)dv, denote the fraction of molecules with speed between v and (v + dv) with f₂(v)dv, similarly for oxygen. Then

(a) f₁(v) + f₂(v) = f (v) obeys the Maxwell’s distribution law.

(b) f₁ (v), f₂ (v) will obey the Maxwell’s distribution law separately.

(c) Neither f₁ (v), nor f₂ (v) will obey the Maxwell’s distribution law.

(d) f₂ (v) and f₁ (v) will be the same.

Answer 1

(b)  f₁ (v), f₂ (v) will obey the Maxwell’s distribution law separately.

Comment: In a mixture, the average kinetic energy are equating. Hence, distribution in velocity are quite different.