15.3.4—PV = 1/3 Nm<c2> with pV = NkT to deduce that the average translational
- Syllabus
- 9702–2028–2029
- Objective
- 15.3.4
- Level
- A2
For N molecules of mass m, pV=⅓Nm⟨c²⟩. Combining with pV=NkT links pressure to mean translational kinetic energy per particle.
Use ⟨c²⟩ as the mean square speed, not the square of the mean speed, and keep N as particle count.
At fixed volume, raising T raises mean molecular kinetic energy and therefore pressure in proportion.
The equation describes a statistical average; not every molecule has the same speed or energy.