Question

Which of the following statements best explains why nitrogen gas at STP is less dense than Xe gas at STP?
(a) Because Xe is a noble gas, there is less tendency for the Xe atoms to repel one another, so they pack more densely in the gaseous state.
(b) Xe atoms have a higher mass than N₂ molecules. Because both gases at STP have the same number of molecules per unit volume, the Xe gas must be denser.
(c) The Xe atoms are larger than N₂ molecules and thus take up a larger fraction of the space occupied by the gas.
(d) Because the Xe atoms are much more massive than the N₂ molecules, they move more slowly and thus exert less upward force on the gas container and make the gas appear denser.