Effect of Temperature on the distribution of molecular velocities

Effect of Temperature on the distribution of molecular velocities

On increasing the temperature, the motion of the gas molecules becomes rapid as their kinetic energy increases and hence the value of most probable velocity also increases.
As a result, the entire distribution curve becomes flatter and peak shifts to regions of higher velocities as shown in the figure.


V₁ = Most probable velocity at temp. T₁
V₂ = Most probable velocity at temp. T₂
V₂ > V₁
As the gas gets colder, the graph becomes taller and more narrow. Similarly, as the gas gets hotter the graph becomes shorter and wider.

Which one of the following statements is not true about the effect of an increase in temperature on the distribution of molecular speeds in a gas?

a. The most probable speed increases
b. The fraction of the molecules with most probable speed increases
c. The area under the distribution curve remains the same as under the lower temperature
d. The distribution becomes broader