Leumas Physics

RMS Molecular Speed

v = sqrt(3·R·T/M_m)

What it says

The typical speed of a gas molecule, which is why light gases escape atmospheres first.

Symbols

SymbolQuantityDimension
vRMS speed (m/s)L T^-1
TTemperature (K)Θ
M_mMolar mass (kg/mol)M N^-1

Work it out

Enter what you know. No account needed.

Fill in all but one: T, M_m, v are all empty.

Filed under Thermodynamics · derive through it in the explorer