Question

Contrast the motion of the molecules of a sample of gas at rest to those in a hurricane wind

Answer 1

Though in both a sample of gas and a hurricane wind particles move randomly in any direction , but still some contrasting points to be noted are :-

• In hurricane wind they have a center and  are directed towards the periphery but in a molecule of gas the molecules move in a straight line outward in all directions.
• The velocity of particles in hurricane wind is much more as compared to molecules of gas.
• The molecules of gas gets more obstruction as compared to particles in hurricane wind.

Answer 2

The molecules of gas in air or in confined containers are always in constant motion. The molecules in sample of gas share an average kinetic energy. The gas molecules sometimes collides with each other and their speeds are distributed or their individual speeds may change. For instance, after collision, the speed of one molecule will be slower while the other will be deflected with higher speed keeping the average kinetic energy same.

In hurricane, there are two portions, namely the eye and the outer wind currents. The speed of air molecules are highest at the outer end than at the eye.  The air has widely spaced gas molecules at the eye of the hurricane while the gas molecules are more closely packed towards the eye wall.Its because of the pressure differences the  density of gas molecules present promotes movement of gas molecules from high pressure to low pressure causing rotation of air molecules. This triggers a counter clockwise movement of wind. Hence, here the kinetic energy varies.