Question

What is meant by mean free path?

(a) It is the average distance a molecule travels without colliding

(b) Average distance between 2 molecules

(c) Average distance travelled by a molecule before colliding with a wall of the container

(d) Sum of distance travelled by all molecules

This question was posed to me during an interview.

My doubt stems from Kinetic Theory topic in section Kinetic Theory of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) It is the average distance a molecule travels without colliding

To explain I would say: Mean free path of a molecule is defined as the average distance travelled by molecules before colliding.