Deriving the rms speed from the Maxwell speed distribution

In summary, The Maxwell speed distribution is a probability distribution that describes the distribution of speeds of particles in a gas at a given temperature. It was developed by James Clerk Maxwell in the 19th century and is based on the kinetic theory of gases. The rms speed is derived by taking the square root of the average of the squared speeds of all particles in a gas, as described by the Maxwell speed distribution. This calculation gives a measure of the average speed of particles in the gas. The rms speed is important because it provides a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a gas. As temperature increases, the distribution of speeds of particles in a gas shifts towards higher speeds, resulting in an increase in the rms speed. The Maxwell speed distribution
  • #1
Tabiri
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Homework Statement



Find vrms from the Maxwell speed distribution.

Basically what I need to solve is the integral [itex]a\int_0^∞ \! v^4e^{xv^2} \, \mathrm{d}v [/itex]

Where ##a## and ##x## are constants.

Homework Equations



$$a\int_0^∞ \! v^4e^{xv^2} \, \mathrm{d}v $$

Where ##a## and ##x## are constants.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried u-substitution, subbing in u for ##v^2## and for ##v^{2.5}## but they end up not working.
 
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  • #2
Nevermind, figured it out (integrate by parts a couple times).
 

FAQ: Deriving the rms speed from the Maxwell speed distribution

What is the Maxwell speed distribution?

The Maxwell speed distribution is a probability distribution that describes the distribution of speeds of particles in a gas at a given temperature. It was developed by James Clerk Maxwell in the 19th century and is based on the kinetic theory of gases.

How is the rms speed derived from the Maxwell speed distribution?

The rms (root-mean-square) speed is derived by taking the square root of the average of the squared speeds of all particles in a gas, as described by the Maxwell speed distribution. This calculation gives a measure of the average speed of particles in the gas.

Why is the rms speed important?

The rms speed is important because it provides a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a gas. This information is useful in understanding the behavior of gases and in various applications, such as calculating the diffusion rate of gases.

How does temperature affect the rms speed?

According to the Maxwell speed distribution, as temperature increases, the distribution of speeds of particles in a gas shifts towards higher speeds. This results in an increase in the rms speed, indicating a higher average kinetic energy of the particles.

Can the Maxwell speed distribution be used for all gases?

Yes, the Maxwell speed distribution can be applied to all gases, as long as they are in thermal equilibrium (meaning that the temperature is the same throughout the gas) and the particles are in constant random motion. It is a fundamental concept in the study of gases and is widely used in various fields of science and engineering.

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