question_answer

Equal masses of helium and oxygen gases are given equal quantities of heat. Which gas will undergo a greater temperature rise?

Answer:

                Helium is a monoatomic gas, while oxygen is diatomic. Therefore the heat given to helium will be totally used up in increasing the translational kinetic energy of its molecules; whereas the heat given to oxygen will be used up in increasing the translational kinetice energy of its molecules and also in increasing the kinetic energy of rotation and vibration. Hence, there will be a greater rise in the temperature of helium.