A gas diffuses only 0.5 times as fast as an oxygen molecule at the same temperature. What is the molecular weight of the gas?

6 answers

(rate1/rate2)=sqrt(MW2/MW1).
I would make up a rate for oxygen and use half of that rate for the unknown gas. Post your work if you get stuck.
(2.0/0.5)=4
im confused i cant set this problem up correctly? I need a lot of help
Meaning you want me to do all the thinking?
rate 1 = rate oxygen = 2 liters/hour.
rate 2 = rate unknown = (1/2)*2 = 1 liter/hour.
Mol Weight 1 = mw oxygen = 32
mol wt 2 = mw unknown.
(rate1/rate2) = sqrt (M2/M1).
Substitute and solve for M2
if the equation is right:
2/1=square root x/32
so square both sides
4=x/32
x=4*32
x=128 or tellurium
Then your answer is B