Maxwell-Boltzmann Speed Distribution

Statistical distribution of molecular speeds in an ideal gas

300 K
28 g/mol
vmp (most probable): m/s
vavg (mean): m/s
vrms (RMS): m/s
KEavg: J

f(v) = 4π(M/2πRT)^(3/2) v² exp(−Mv²/2RT). Three characteristic speeds: vmp = √(2RT/M) (peak), vavg = √(8RT/πM) (mean), vrms = √(3RT/M) (root-mean-square, sets kinetic energy). Average KE = ³⁄₂ kBT per molecule — independent of mass, pure equipartition. Note: lighter molecules have broader, faster-peaked distributions.