question_answer

Although the root-mean-square speed of gas molecules is of the order of the speed of sound in that gas, yet on opening a bottle of ammonia in one corner of a room its smell takes time in reaching the other corner. Why?

Answer:

                The molecules of ammonia have random motion. They frequently collide with one another. Consequently, their net speed in any particular direction is low. So gas takes several seconds to go from one corner to the                other corner of the room.