Which statement about the distribution curve of molecular energies in an ideal gas at a given temperature is correct?
A) There are no molecules with zero energy - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 19 - 2021 - Paper 3
Question 19
Which statement about the distribution curve of molecular energies in an ideal gas at a given temperature is correct?
A) There are no molecules with zero energy.
B... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which statement about the distribution curve of molecular energies in an ideal gas at a given temperature is correct?
A) There are no molecules with zero energy - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 19 - 2021 - Paper 3
Step 1
A) There are no molecules with zero energy.
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Answer
This statement is correct. In a distribution curve of molecular energies for an ideal gas, the lowest possible energy is greater than zero because of the nature of molecular motion and kinetic energy. Therefore, it is accurate to state that there are no molecules with zero energy.
Step 2
B) The curve is symmetrical about the maximum.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. The distribution curve is skewed, with more molecules having energies lower than the maximum, making it asymmetrical.
Step 3
C) Changing the temperature has no effect on the position of the maximum.
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This statement is also incorrect. Increasing the temperature moves the maximum of the distribution curve to higher energies.
Step 4
D) Most molecules have the mean energy.
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Answer
This statement is misleading. While the mean energy can represent the average, the majority of molecules will actually have energies that are below the mean value in a typical distribution.
