To solve this problem, let us recall that the formula for
gases assuming ideal behaviour is given as:
rms = sqrt (3 R T / M)
where
R = gas constant = 8.314 Pa m^3 / mol K
T = temperature
M = molar mass
Now we get the ratios of rms of Argon (1) to hydrogen (2):
rms1 / rms2 = sqrt (3 R T1 / M1) / sqrt (3 R T2 / M2)
or
rms1 / rms2 = sqrt ((T1 / M1) / (T2 / M2))
rms1 / rms2 = sqrt (T1 M2 / T2 M1)
Since T1 = 4 T2
rms1 / rms2 = sqrt (4 T2 M2 / T2 M1)
rms1 / rms2 = sqrt (4 M2 / M1)
and M2 = 2 while M1 = 40
rms1 / rms2 = sqrt (4 * 2 / 40)
rms1 / rms2 = 0.447
Therefore the ratio of rms is:
<span>rms_Argon / rms_Hydrogen = 0.45</span>