Even though the temperature increased by only 100K, the reaction rate is 150 times faster . The M-B extension question forces students to realize that kinetic energy distributions are mercilessly exponential.
Effusion rate depends on the average speed ((v_avg = \sqrt\frac8RT\pi M)). The small difference in mass leads to a small difference in average speed. Even though the temperature increased by only 100K,
No, the shape does not change.
"The M-B curves for isotopes are nearly identical because mass difference is small relative to absolute mass. However, the effusion rate depends on the inverse square root of mass. Over many stages, this tiny difference in the distribution's average velocity accumulates into measurable separation." Part 6: Common Extension Question 5 – The Effect of a Vacuum Question: The M-B distribution assumes molecules are independent (ideal gas). If you remove half the molecules (create a vacuum), does the distribution shape change? Why or why not? Answer Key Reasoning This is a trick question to test if students confuse distribution with total number . The small difference in mass leads to a
Use this guide to facilitate discussion, not just to provide answers. The power of POGIL is in the argument—let the students defend why the tail matters more than the peak. However, the effusion rate depends on the inverse