Question

Consider a collision between an oxygen molecule and a hydrogen molecule in a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen kept at room temperature. Which of the following are possible?
(a) The kinetic energies of both the molecules increase.
(b) The kinetic energies of both the molecules decrease.
(c) kinetic energy of the oxygen molecule increases and that of the hydrogen molecule decreases.
(d) The kinetic energy of the hydrogen molecule increases and that of the oxygen molecule decreases.

Answer 1

According to Kinetic theory, postulates collision between molecules are elastic. This means that kinetic energy after any collision is conserved because while one one gains kinetic energy, another loses it. Both options, (c) and (d) consider the conservation of kinetic energy in the collision.

Thus, (c) and (d) are correct answers.