Hint: The drag force will be equal to the rate of momentum transferred by the gas molecules.
Step 1: Find the momentum transferred by the gas molecules.
Consider the diagram.
m= mass of the gas
ρρ= density of the gas
Let n = number of molecules per unit volume
vrmsvrms= RMS speed of the gas molecules
When the block is moving with speed v0v0, the relative speed of molecules w.r.t. front face = v+v0v0 coming head-on
The momentum transferred to the block per collision =2m(v+v0v0)
where m=mass of the molecule.
The number of collision in time ∆t=12(v+v0)n∆tAΔt=12(v+v0)nΔtA,
where A = area of cross-section of block and factor of 1/2 appears due to particles moving towards the block.
∴ the momentum transferred in time ∆t=m(v+v0)2nA∆t from the front surface.
Similarly, momentum transferred in time ∆t=m(v-v0)2nA∆t (from the back surface)
Step 2: Find the net darg force.
∴ Net force drag force = mnA[(v+v0)2-(v-v0)2] [from front]
=mnA(4vv0)=(4mnAv)v0
=(4ρAv)v0
where we have assumed, ρ=mNV=MV
If v = velocity along x-axis,
Then, we can write, KE=12mv2=12kBT
⇒ v=√kBTm [KB=Bolzmann constant]
KE=Kinetic energy
T=Temperature
∴ From Eq.(i), Drag force=4ρA√kBTmv0