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If you are comparing the same gas molecules at the same temperature, then the answer is no. They collide more frequently, but only because they are closer than those that are separated by greater distances.

The speed of gas molecules is related to their molecular mass and absolute temperature, not their intermolecular distance. If two different gas molecules (O2 versus H2) are at the same temperature, the lighter one (H2) moves faster. If we compare identical gas molecules (such as O2) at different temperatures, the molecule at the higher temperature moves faster.

What happens to gas molecules that are closer together? Well, if the temperature is cool enough, they will attract each other until they stick together. Eventually enough of them will stick together to form a liquid. They still move, but most of them are not fast enough to separate from each other.

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12y ago
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6mo ago

In general, lighter molecules tend to move faster than heavier ones at the same temperature. This is because lighter molecules have lower mass and are less affected by intermolecular forces, allowing them to move more quickly in a given environment.

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15y ago

smaller molecule diffuse faster than lage molecules is for sure, but i don't know why.

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13y ago

yes. for example hydrogen molecules will move faster than Nitrogen because hydrogen is lighter is mass.

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17y ago

nope, faster

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16y ago

A small one.

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14y ago

smaller molecules

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14y ago

The smaller molecule will diffuse faster

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Q: Do lighter molecules move faster than heavy ones?
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Continue Learning about Physics

Which occurs when air is compressed A. Air Temp rises and air molecules move faster B. Air temp decreases C. Air temp decreases and air molecules move faster D. Air molecules move slower?

A. Air temperature rises and air molecules move faster


The different molecules that make up the air in a room have on average the same kinetic energy how does the speed of the different air molecules depend on their masses?

According to the kinetic theory of gases, the average kinetic energy of gas molecules in a room is proportional to temperature, not mass. However, the speed of individual gas molecules is inversely proportional to their mass - lighter molecules will move faster on average compared to heavier molecules at the same temperature. This is because kinetic energy is distributed among all molecules, and lighter molecules can move faster with the same amount of kinetic energy.


Do molicules move faster in a solid or in a liquid?

Molecules in a liquid move faster than in a solid because the intermolecular forces in a liquid are weaker, allowing molecules to move around more freely. In a solid, molecules are held tightly in a fixed position by strong intermolecular forces.


Do molecules move faster when heat increases?

Yes, as heat increases, molecules gain kinetic energy and move faster. This results in the molecules vibrating and bouncing off each other more rapidly.


Do molecules move slower or faster or the same during evaporation?

Molecules move faster during evaporation because when a liquid evaporates, the molecules gain energy from the surroundings, increasing their kinetic energy and causing them to move more rapidly.

Related questions

Why lighter gases diffuse more rapidly than havier gases?

The idea is that they tend to be made up of lighter molecules; on average, these move faster (for a given temperature) than heavier (actually, more massive) molecules.


When energy is converted to molecules and they move faster does temperature increase or decrease?

As molecules move faster, they cause friction, which increases the temperature of the molecules.


Which occurs when air is compressed A. Air Temp rises and air molecules move faster B. Air temp decreases C. Air temp decreases and air molecules move faster D. Air molecules move slower?

A. Air temperature rises and air molecules move faster


What happens because water vapor molecules are lighter than nitrogen or oxygen molecules?

Water vapor molecules rise in the atmosphere, causing them to form clouds and ultimately precipitation. This is because lighter molecules have more kinetic energy and therefore move faster, allowing them to rise above the heavier nitrogen and oxygen molecules.


The different molecules that make up the air in a room have on average the same kinetic energy how does the speed of the different air molecules depend on their masses?

According to the kinetic theory of gases, the average kinetic energy of gas molecules in a room is proportional to temperature, not mass. However, the speed of individual gas molecules is inversely proportional to their mass - lighter molecules will move faster on average compared to heavier molecules at the same temperature. This is because kinetic energy is distributed among all molecules, and lighter molecules can move faster with the same amount of kinetic energy.


Does the particle's size make the particle movement go slow or fast?

Well, if in a gas you have a mixture of heavier and lighter particles (atoms or molecules, really), the lighter particles will tend to move faster than the heavier particles. The general tendency is for any such particle to have the same energy (mainly kinetic energy). Similarly, in a liquid solution, lighter particles will tend to move faster.


Would a lighter go faster than a truck?

No, a lighter would not go faster than a truck because a lighter does not have an engine or the ability to move on its own. Trucks are designed to move at higher speeds due to their powerful engines and larger size.


What diffuses faster air or oxygen gas why?

Oxygen gas diffuses faster than air because oxygen molecules are smaller and lighter than the molecules of air, which is mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen. This allows oxygen molecules to move more quickly through a medium, such as air or other gases.


What gas diffuses faster methane or ammonia?

Ammonia diffuses faster than methane due to its lighter molecular weight and its smaller size. This allows ammonia molecules to move more quickly through a medium, such as air or another gas, compared to methane molecules.


Do molicules move faster in a solid or in a liquid?

Molecules in a liquid move faster than in a solid because the intermolecular forces in a liquid are weaker, allowing molecules to move around more freely. In a solid, molecules are held tightly in a fixed position by strong intermolecular forces.


Do molecules move faster when heat increases?

Yes, as heat increases, molecules gain kinetic energy and move faster. This results in the molecules vibrating and bouncing off each other more rapidly.


Which gas will diffuse faster between bromine and chlorine?

Chlorine will diffuse faster than bromine because it has a lower molecular weight and therefore lighter molecules, which allows them to move more quickly through a medium. Additionally, chlorine molecules have a smaller size compared to bromine molecules, further facilitating their diffusion.