All Problems

Kinetic theory of gases. Boltzmanns Law and Maxwell distribution

Problem 2.104

Suppose that η0\eta_{0} is the ratio of the molecular concentration of hydrogen to that of nitrogen at the Earth's surface, while η\eta is the corresponding ratio at the height h=3000 m.h=3000 \mathrm{~m} . Find the ratio η/η0\eta / \eta_{0} at the temperature T=280 KT=280 \mathrm{~K}, assuming that the temperature and the free fall acceleration are independent of the height.

Reveal Answer
η/η0=e(M2M1)gh/RT=1.39\eta / \eta_{0}=e^{\left(M_{2}-M_{1}\right) g h / R T}=1.39