Obtain an expression for the momentum of a gas transferred to the walls of a container in time $\Delta t$.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider an ideal gas in a cubical container of side length $l$ with perfectly elastic walls.
The area of each face is $A = l^2$.
Let a gas molecule have velocity $\vec{v} = (v_x, v_y, v_z)$.
When the molecule collides with a wall perpendicular to the $X$-axis,the $x$-component of velocity changes from $v_x$ to $-v_x$,while $v_y$ and $v_z$ remain unchanged.
The change in momentum of the molecule is $\Delta p_{molecule} = m(-v_x) - m(v_x) = -2mv_x$.
By the law of conservation of momentum,the momentum transferred to the wall is $\Delta p_{wall} = 2mv_x$.
In time $\Delta t$,only molecules within a distance $v_x \Delta t$ from the wall can collide with it.
The number of molecules hitting the wall in time $\Delta t$ is given by $\frac{1}{2} n A v_x \Delta t$,where $n$ is the number density of molecules.
The total momentum transferred to the wall is $P = (2mv_x) \times (\frac{1}{2} n A v_x \Delta t) = n m A v_x^2 \Delta t$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The kinetic energy of $1$ mole of $He$ gas at $27^{\circ}C$ is .... $J$.

The total kinetic energy of $1 \text{ mole}$ of $N_2$ at $27^{\circ}C$ is approximately: $(R = 2 \text{ cal/mol K})$

The average kinetic energy of a molecule of a gas is

On colliding in a closed container,the gas molecules:

If $E$ is the kinetic energy per mole of an ideal gas and $T$ is the absolute temperature,then the universal gas constant is given as

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo