Re:Entropy as Disorder: History of a Misconception
by kgwgk on Monday September 23, 2019 @06:27PM
(#21054429)
It’s true, I don’t know what I was thinking. The barometric formula that gives the density gradient for each (ideal) gas depends on the molecular mass so the profile will be different and the composition of the mixture will vary with height.
The light one will move faster than the heavier one on average when they come into contact, and in the presence of gravity it will have a higher average height. The same will hold as you add more particles, but there is a curve to it.
It is true hat the atmosphere is more complex, and has things like ozone layer causing temperature inversion due to different absorption characteristics, etc., but the general reasons that H and He are so much more prevalent in the upper layers is largely due to this kind of explanation using gravity.