Problem

Improving our model of gravitational potential energy Possible escape of...

Improving our model of gravitational potential energy

Possible escape of different air molecule types (a) Determine the ratio of escape speeds from Earth for a hydrogen molecule (H2) and for an oxygen molecule (O2). The mass of the oxygen is approximately 16 times that of the hydrogen. (b) In the atmosphere, the average random kinetic energy of hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules is the same. Determine the ratio of the average speeds of the hydrogen and the oxygen molecules. (c) Based on these two results, give one reason why our atmosphere lacks hydrogen but retains oxygen.

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