Question

Helium gas has a molar mass of 4 g/mol. oxygen gas has a molar mass of 32 g/mol. how much faster or slower would helium effuse than oxygen from a small opening

Answer 1

According to Graham's Law of Diffusion,"the rates of diffusion of two gases are inversely proportional to the square root of their Molar masses or Densities at the same pressure and temperature".

r₁ / r₂ =
`√(M2 / M1)`
Where,
r₁ = Rate of Helium

r₂ = Rate of Oxygen

M₂ = Molar mass of Oxygen = 32 g/mol

M₁ = Molar mass of Fluorine = 4 g/mol

Putting values,

r₁ / r₂ =
`√(32 / 4)`

r₁ / r₂ =
`√(8)`

r₁ / r₂ = 2.82
Result:
Helium gas effuses 2.82 times faster than Oxygen gas.