Practise Edexcel A-Level Physics molecular kinetic theory by using ½m =3kT/2 to connect temperature, speed, mass and energy.
The spectrum of light emitted by the star Chi Lupi provides evidence of mercury atoms in the outer layers of the star. The light emitted from the star is compared with light emitted from a mercury lamp on Earth.
The lamp contains 1.65 x 10^19 mercury atoms in a volume of 1.50 x 10^-5 m^3.
The pressure of the mercury vapour is 4.25 x 10^4 Pa.
Calculate the mean kinetic energy of the mercury atoms.
Mean kinetic energy of mercury atoms =
Use pV = NkT.
Use 1/2 m<c²> = 3/2 kT.
1/2 m<c²> = 5.8 × 10^-20 J.