According to simple kinetic theory the thermal conductivity of a gas is given by the expression
K = 1/3cvλ
Explain the meaning of the symbols on the right-hand side of this equation and use it to show that the thermal conductivity of a gas should increase with temperature approximately, but not exactly, as T1/2.
Make a rezoned estimate of the ratio of the thermal conductivity of methane gas to that of argon gas, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, given the following information. Both molecules can be regarded as spheres, the radius of the methane molecule being 1.7 times the radius of the argon atom. The atomic weight of argon is 40; The molecular weight of methane is 16. Internal vibration of the methane molecule is not excited at room temperature.