Particles Velocity Calculator

Calculate average velocity of gas particles using Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution

Calculate Particle Velocity

1 u ≈ 1.66054 × 10⁻²⁷ kg (mass of one nucleon)

Velocity Results

468.24
m/s
1685.65
km/h
1047.45 mph
1536.29 ft/s

Velocity Comparison

Average Velocity
468.24 m/s
RMS Velocity
508.23 m/s
Most Probable
414.96 m/s

Formula used: v̄ = √(8kT/πm) for average velocity

Parameters: T = 300.0 K, m = 48.106 × 10⁻²⁷ kg

Average kinetic energy: 6.213 × 10⁻²¹ J

Physics Insights

Heavier particles move slower at the same temperature
Higher temperature increases particle velocity
RMS velocity is typically 22% higher than average velocity
⚡ High velocity: 1686 km/h - typical for light molecules or high temperatures

Example Calculation

Air Molecules at Room Temperature

Molecule: Air (average molecular mass)

Mass: 28.97 u ≈ 4.81 × 10⁻²⁶ kg

Temperature: 300 K (27°C, 80°F)

Calculation

v̄ = √(8kT/πm)

v̄ = √(8 × 1.381×10⁻²³ × 300 / (π × 4.81×10⁻²⁶))

v̄ = √(3.313×10⁻²⁰ / 1.511×10⁻²⁵)

v̄ = √(219,255)

v̄ = 468 m/s (1,685 km/h)

Types of Particle Velocity

Average Velocity

√(8kT/πm)

Mean velocity from Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution

RMS

RMS Velocity

√(3kT/m)

Root mean square velocity

MP

Most Probable

√(2kT/m)

Peak of velocity distribution

Common Gas Molecules

Hydrogen (H₂)2.016 u
Helium (He)4.003 u
Water (H₂O)18.015 u
Air (average)28.97 u
CO₂44.010 u

Physical Constants

Boltzmann Constant
k = 1.381 × 10⁻²³ J/K
Atomic Mass Unit
1 u = 1.661 × 10⁻²⁷ kg
Avogadro Number
Nₐ = 6.022 × 10²³ mol⁻¹

Understanding Particle Velocity in Gases

Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution describes the velocities of particles in a gas at thermal equilibrium. It shows that most particles have velocities near the average, with fewer particles having very high or very low velocities.

Key Principles

  • Temperature is a measure of average kinetic energy
  • Heavier particles move slower at the same temperature
  • Higher temperature increases particle speeds
  • Particle velocities follow a statistical distribution

Mathematical Formulas

Average Velocity

v̄ = √(8kT/πm)

RMS Velocity

v_rms = √(3kT/m)

Most Probable Velocity

v_mp = √(2kT/m)

Where: k = Boltzmann constant, T = temperature (K), m = particle mass (kg)

Applications and Examples

Atmospheric Science

Understanding molecular velocities helps explain:

• Why lighter gases escape Earth's atmosphere

• Gas diffusion and mixing rates

• Pressure and temperature relationships

Engineering Applications

Particle velocities are crucial for:

• Gas separation and purification

• Chemical reaction kinetics

• Vacuum system design