Answer:
Yes, it is reasonable to neglect it.
Explanation:
Hello,
In this case, a single molecule of oxygen weights 32 g (diatomic oxygen) thus, the mass of kilograms is (consider Avogadro's number):
[tex]m=1molec*\frac{1mol}{6.022x10^{23}molec} *\frac{32g}{1mol}*\frac{1kg}{1000g}=5.31x10^{-26}kg[/tex]
After that, we compute the potential energy 1.00 m above the reference point:
[tex]U=mhg=5.31x10^{-26}kg*1.00m*9.8\frac{m}{s^2}=5.2x10^{-25}J[/tex]
Then, we compute the average kinetic energy at the specified temperature:
[tex]K=\frac{3}{2}\frac{R}{Na}T[/tex]
Whereas [tex]N_A[/tex] stands for the Avogadro's number for which we have:
[tex]K=\frac{3}{2} \frac{8.314\frac{J}{mol*K}}{6.022x10^{23}/mol}*(23+273)K\\ \\K=6.13x10^{-21}J[/tex]
In such a way, since the average kinetic energy energy is about 12000 times higher than the potential energy, it turns out reasonable to neglect the potential energy.
Regards.
