Two identical rigid flasks each contain nitrogen gas at 1.0 atm. Flask 1 is held at 300 K, whereas Flask 2 is held at 500 K. The dissociation of N₂ requires that a molecule possess at least 60 kJ of kinetic energy at the moment of collision.
Answer the following questions about the molecular-energy distributions in the two flasks.
(1) Sketch qualitatively accurate kinetic-energy distributions for the nitrogen molecules in each flask on the same set of axes. Clearly label the curve corresponding to each temperature.
(2) On your sketch, indicate the energy threshold of 60 kJ and shade the area representing molecules that can dissociate in each flask.
(3) Based on your sketch, estimate the relative number of nitrogen molecules that can dissociate in Flask 2 compared with Flask 1. Explain the reasoning behind your estimate.
(4) Relate your estimate in part (c) to the expected difference in the initial rate of N₂ dissociation between the two flasks.