Question

A box contain equal number of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen. If there is a line hole in the box, then which gas leakes more rapidly?

• A. Can't say
• B. Hydrogen gas
• C. Oxygen gas
• D. Both leak at equal rates

Answer 1

The correct option is B Hydrogen gas

According to Graham's law of diffusion, the rates of diffusion of the gases are inversely proportional to the square root of their densities.
$\Rightarrow \frac{r_H}{r_O}=\sqrt{\frac{S_O}{S_H}}$
where, symbols represent the respective quantities.
As $S_O>S_H\Rightarrow \frac{S_O}{S_H}>1$
$\Rightarrow \frac{r_H}{r_O}>1\Rightarrow r_H>r_O$
So, hydrogen will leak more rapidly.