3 ms·
Surely m*s as the average speed of molecules you are measuring would be the sanest.
by Akronymus 5y ago
Surely m*s as the average speed of molecules you are measuring would be the sanest.
- sandworm101 5y agoTemperature is a measurement of kinetic energy, speed x mass. Two substances with the same temperature can have different m/s atomic speeds. Moving at the same speed, Uranium atoms will be 'hotter' than hydrogen atoms because the uranium atom is heavier. (This distinction is important in rocketry. At a given exhaust temperature, the lighter substance will be moving faster, resulting in greater efficiencies.)
- Akronymus 5y agoOh right. I completely forgot about the mass of the individual atoms. So basically: (Sum of the speed * mass of (from atom[1] to atom[total number])) divided by the total number of atoms?