A given volume of methane diffuses in 20 seconds. How long will it take the same volume of sulphur (IV) oxide to diffuse under the same conditions? [CH4 = 1...

Answer Details

The rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. This means that the heavier the gas, the slower it diffuses. The molar mass of methane (CH4) is 16, while the molar mass of sulphur (IV) oxide (SO2) is 64. Therefore, the ratio of the square root of the molar masses of methane to sulphur (IV) oxide is: √(64/16) = √4 = 2 This means that sulphur (IV) oxide diffuses at a rate that is 2 times slower than methane under the same conditions. Since it takes methane 20 seconds to diffuse, it will take sulphur (IV) oxide 2 times longer, which is: 20 x 2 = 40 seconds Therefore, the answer is 40 seconds.