Solution Found!
Answer: Gaseous Diffusion of Uranium. (a) A process called
Chapter 18, Problem 31E(choose chapter or problem)
Gaseous Diffusion of Uranium. (a) A process called gaseous diffusion is often used to separate isotopes of uranium-that is, atoms of the elements that have different masses, such as 235U and 238U. The only gaseous compound of uranium at ordinary temperatures is uranium hexafluoride, 235UF6 Speculate on how 235UF6 and 238UF6 molecules might be separated by diffusion. (b) The molar masses for 235UF6, and 238UF6 molecules are 0.349 kg/mol and 0.352 kg/mol, respectively. If uranium hexafluoride acts as an ideal gas, what is the ratio of the root-mean-square speed of molecules to that of 238UF6 molecules if the temperature is uniform?
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Gaseous Diffusion of Uranium. (a) A process called gaseous diffusion is often used to separate isotopes of uranium-that is, atoms of the elements that have different masses, such as 235U and 238U. The only gaseous compound of uranium at ordinary temperatures is uranium hexafluoride, 235UF6 Speculate on how 235UF6 and 238UF6 molecules might be separated by diffusion. (b) The molar masses for 235UF6, and 238UF6 molecules are 0.349 kg/mol and 0.352 kg/mol, respectively. If uranium hexafluoride acts as an ideal gas, what is the ratio of the root-mean-square speed of molecules to that of 238UF6 molecules if the temperature is uniform?
ANSWER:Solution to 31E
Step 1
235UF6 and238UF6 is separated by passing it through a semipermeable membrane. The lighter molecules will pass the semi permeable membrane faster than the heavier molecules. The molecular masses of 235UF6 and 238UF6 are very close, thus to achieve large separation between molecules, many stages of filtering is required.