Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test Related

Review Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test related questions and content

If gas A has four times the molar mass of gas B, you would expect it to diffuse through a plug ___________.

  • A. at half the rate of gas B
  • B. at twice the rate of gas B
  • C. at a quarter the rate of gas B
  • D. at four times the rate of gas B
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When comparing the diffusion rates of two gases, according to Graham's law of diffusion, the rate of diffusion is inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass. If gas A has four times the molar mass of gas B, the square root of the molar masses ratio (4:1) is 2. This means that gas A would diffuse through a plug at half the rate of gas B. Therefore, the correct answer is A, at half the rate of gas B. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct relationship between the molar masses and the rates of diffusion according to Graham's law.