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MHT CET 2026 (16 Apr, Shift 2) · Molecular Speeds & Maxwell Distribution

Molecular Speeds & Maxwell Distribution question from MHT CET 2026 (16 Apr, Shift 2)

Q9MHT CET 2026 · 16 APR · SHIFT 2Difficult

Molecular Speeds & Maxwell Distribution

The average transnational kinetic energy of a molecule in a gas is E1E_1. The kinetic energy of the electron (e) accelerated from rest through potential difference 'V' volt is E2E_2. The temperature at which E1=E2E_1 = E_2 possible is (mass of molecule and electron is same) (N = number of molecules, V = Velocity, R = gas constant)

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Answer: (a)

  1. Average translational KE per molecule: E1=32kT=3RT2NE_1 = \dfrac{3}{2}kT = \dfrac{3RT}{2N} (using k=R/Nk = R/N).
  2. Electron accelerated through VV: E2=eVE_2 = eV.
  3. 3RT2N=eV⇒T=2NeV3R\dfrac{3RT}{2N} = eV \Rightarrow T = \dfrac{2NeV}{3R}
  4. So the answer is (a) 2VNe3R\dfrac{2VNe}{3R}.
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