Introduction
Oxygen atoms are lighter than air and are mainly used in welding because of the energy stored in the bond between two atoms. Due to the light weight of oxygen molecules, when released through a nozzle into the atmosphere, the molecules will travel at high speeds due to their lower mass and a short nozzle. This is known as free jet flow and is used in many applications.
Theory
Free jet flow is the study of how oxygen atoms move when released through a nozzle. This process is governed by the following main governing laws: the conservation of momentum, the conservation of energy and the conservation of mass.
The conservation of momentum states that the velocity of a system of molecules must remain the same regardless of changes in the system. This means that if molecules are released with a speed in one direction they will continue to move in that direction and their speed will remain constant.
The conservation of energy states that the kinetic energy of molecules must remain constant. This means that molecules will remain at the same speed regardless of any changes to the system.
The conservation of mass states that the number of molecules released through a nozzle must remain the same. This means that when molecules are released from a nozzle the amount of molecules released must remain the same.
So, when oxygen is released from a nozzle into the atmosphere, it will travel in the same direction and at the same speed, the number of molecules will remain constant.
Experimental Set Up
The experimental set up for this experiment is relatively simple. A cylinder of compressed oxygen is connected to a nozzle with a diameter of 4 mm and the nozzle is connected to a vacuum chamber. A laser light will then be used to track the speed of the oxygen molecules as they travel through the nozzle and the vacuum chamber.
Results and Analysis
The results of the experiment show that the oxygen molecules released through the nozzle travel in a straight line at a constant speed. This is due to the laws of conservation of momentum, energy and mass.
The results also show that the speed of the oxygen molecules varies slightly as they travel through the nozzle and the vacuum chamber. This is due to the fact that the molecules are subject to the effects of friction, viscosity and turbulence, which will reduce the velocity of the molecules.
Conclusion
The experiment demonstrated that when oxygen is released through a nozzle into the atmosphere, it will travel in a straight line at a constant speed. This is governed by the laws of conservation of momentum, energy and mass. The results also showed that the speed of the molecules varies slightly due to the effects of friction, viscosity and turbulence.
