What is free path? And what is mean free path?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) $1$. Free Path: The distance traveled by a gas molecule between two successive collisions is called the free path. During this interval,the molecule moves in a straight line with constant velocity.
$2$. Mean Free Path: The average distance traveled by a gas molecule between successive collisions is known as the mean free path. It is denoted by $\lambda$. If a molecule travels distances $\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \dots, \lambda_n$ between $n$ collisions,the mean free path is given by $\lambda = \frac{\lambda_1 + \lambda_2 + \dots + \lambda_n}{n}$.
Mathematically,it is expressed as $\lambda = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2} n \pi d^2}$,where $n$ is the number density of molecules and $d$ is the diameter of the molecule.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Calculate the value of mean free path $(\lambda)$ for oxygen molecules at temperature $27^{\circ} C$ and pressure $1.01 \times 10^{5} Pa$. Assume the molecular diameter $d = 0.3 nm$ and the gas is ideal. Given Boltzmann constant $k = 1.38 \times 10^{-23} J K^{-1}$. (Result in $nm$)

The mean free path of electrons in a metal is $4 \times 10^{-8} \;m$. The electric field which can give on an average $2 \;eV$ energy to an electron in the metal will be in units of $V/m$.

In the adjoining figure,various isothermals are shown for a real gas. Then

If $n$ is the number density and $d$ is the diameter of the molecule,then the average distance covered by a molecule between two successive collisions (i.e. mean free path) is represented by :

The internal energy of real gases is determined by which of the following?

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