Question

The gas molecules randomly move in all directions and collide with each other and with the wall of the container. It is difficult to determine the speed of an individual molecule but it has become possible to work out the distribution of molecules among different molecular speeds. This is known as Maxwell Boltzmann distribution.
Consider the following graph about Maxwell's distribution of speeds at two different temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2$.

Select the correct statement(s).

• A. Most probable speed increases with increase in temperature
• B. Fraction of total molecules with most probable velocity decreases with increase in temperature
• C. Area under the curve increases with increase in the temperature
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B)

The correct options are
A Most probable speed increases with increase in temperature
B Fraction of total molecules with most probable velocity decreases with increase in temperature

Option (A) and (B) represents the correct statement.
Most probable speed increases with increase in temperature.
$\alpha =\sqrt{\frac{2RT}{M}}$
Fraction of total molecules with most probable velocity decreases with increase in temperature.
Total area under the curve at $T_1$ is equal to that under curve at $T_2$. Total area under the curve is independent of the temperature.