Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 16 - Think and Explain - Page 317-318: 56


On average, hydrogen molecules move faster than oxygen molecules at the same temperature.

Work Step by Step

Having the same temperature means they have the same average translational kinetic energy per molecule. $KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^{2}$. The mass m of a hydrogen molecule is much less than that of an oxygen molecule, so the speed v must be greater to have the same average kinetic energy.
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