Physics · Kinetic Theory of Gases · Solids & Fluids
Problem
As shown schematically in the figure, two vessels contain water solutions (at temperature T) of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) of different concentrations n₁ and n₂ (n₁ > n₂) molecules per unit volume with Δn = (n₁ − n₂) ≪ n₁. When they are connected by a tube of small length l and cross-sectional area S, KMnO₄ starts to diffuse from the left to the right vessel through the tube. Consider the collection of molecules to behave as dilute ideal gases and the difference in their partial pressure in the two vessels causing the diffusion. The speed v of the molecules is limited by the viscous force −βv on each molecule, where β is a constant. Neglecting all terms of the order (Δn)², which of the following is/are correct? (kB is the Boltzmann constant)