Question

Which one of the following statements is $not$ true about the effect of the increase in temperature on the distribution of molecular speeds in gases?

• A. The area under the distribution curve remains the same as under the lower temperature.
• B. The distribution becomes broader
• C. The fraction of the molecules with the most probable speed increases
• D. The most probable speed increases

Answer 1

The correct option is C The fraction of the molecules with the most probable speed increases

Distribution of molecular velocities at two different temperatures is shown below :

At higher temperatures, more molecules have higher velocities and less molecules have lower velocities.
As evident from the figure it is clear that with an increase in temperature, the most probable velocity increases but the fraction of molecules with those velocity decreases.