Rate of Diffusion of Hydrogen compared to Helium

Hydrogen and helium are both gases that exhibit diffusion, a process by which molecules or atoms spread out evenly in a given space. The rate of diffusion of a gas is influenced by several factors including molecular weight, temperature, and pressure.

Difference in Molecular Weight
- Hydrogen has a molecular weight of 2 g/mol, while helium has a molecular weight of 4 g/mol.
- The rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molecular weight.

Calculation
- Since the molecular weight of helium is double that of hydrogen, the rate of diffusion of hydrogen would be √(4/2) = √2 times that of helium.
- This simplifies to approximately 1.4 times the rate of diffusion of helium.

Explanation
- The rate of diffusion of hydrogen is indeed 1.4 times that of helium due to its lighter molecular weight.
- Lighter molecules like hydrogen have higher average speeds and travel faster, resulting in a faster rate of diffusion compared to heavier molecules like helium.

In conclusion, the rate of diffusion of hydrogen is approximately 1.4 times that of helium due to its lower molecular weight. This difference in rates can be attributed to the lighter nature of hydrogen molecules, allowing them to diffuse at a faster pace.