Kinetic energy per molecule of monatomic gas at 300 K (k = 1.38 × 10⁻²³):
- kT
- 1 J
- 10⁻²⁰ J
- 6.2 × 10⁻²¹ J (= (3/2) × 1.38 × 10⁻²³ × 300)
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Correct answer: D. 6.2 × 10⁻²¹ J (= (3/2) × 1.38 × 10⁻²³ × 300)
<KE> = (3/2)kT = 1.5 × 1.38 × 10⁻²³ × 300 = 6.21 × 10⁻²¹ J ≈ 0.0388 eV ≈ kT × 1.5. At room T, kT ≈ 1/40 eV.