Lesson 7: Gases

Gas is one of the physical states of matter. Compared to the particles of solids and liquids,
gas particles are relatively far from each other giving rise to the distinct properties of gases
which include the following:
a. Very weak or nearly zero intermolecular force;
b. Very high compressibility;
c. Very high diffusion rate; and
d. Indefinite shape and volume.
The gaseous region of the earth is known as the atmosphere. It is composed of several
gases which are necessary to maintain conditions that make the earth’s surface livable. The
atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen gas, 21% Oxygen gas, 0.93% Argon, 0.04% CO 2
and the remaining part is composed of traced gases which includes neon, helium, methane,
krypton and hydrogen, as well as water vapor (according to NASA).

Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases (KMT)

The behavior of gases can be explained by Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT) of gases, or
simply the kinetic theory of gases based on the following assumptions:
1. A gas is composed of molecules that are separated from each other by distances far
greater than their own dimensions.
 The molecules can be considered to be “points”; that is, they possess mass but
have negligible volume.
2. Gas molecules are in constant motion in random directions, and they frequently
collide with one another.
 Collisions among gas molecules are perfectly elastic. In other words, energy can
be transferred from one molecule to another as a result of a collision.
Nevertheless, the total energy of all the molecules in a system remains the
same.
3. Gas molecules exert neither attractive nor repulsive forces on one another.
4. The average kinetic energy of the molecules is proportional to the temperature of the
gas in kelvins. Any two gases at the same temperature will have the same average
kinetic energy.

Quantities that are Involved in Understanding the Properties of Gases

1. Pressure
Gases exert pressure on any surface with which they come in contact because gas
molecules are constantly in motion. Pressure is the force perpendicular to a unit
area. The SI unit of pressure is pascal (Pa). A pascal is defined is one newton per
square meter or 1 Pa = 1 N/m2.
Atmospheric pressure is defined as the force exerted by the earth’s atmosphere. The
actual value of atmospheric pressure depends on location, temperature, and weather
conditions. The barometer is probably the most familiar instrument for measuring
atmospheric pressure. A manometer is a device used to measure the pressure of
gases other than the atmosphere. Standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm) is equal
to the pressure that supports a column of mercury exactly 760 mm (or 76 cm) high at
0°C (273K) at sea level. In other words, the standard atmosphere equals a pressure
of 760 mmHg, where mmHg represents the pressure exerted by a column of
mercury 1 mm high. The mmHg unit is also called the torr, after the Italian scientist
Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the barometer. Therefore, 1 mmHg = 1 torr.
Conversion Factors: 1 atm = 760 mmHg = 760 torr
= 101,325 Pa or 1.01325 x 10 5 Pa
= 14.696 psi
2. Temperature
Temperature is the measure of the heat energy possessed by an object. The SI base
unit of temperature is Kelvin (K). Kelvin scale was devised by Willian Thomson also
1
 known as Lord Kelvin. Kelvin scale is also known as the absolute scale because it
contains the absolute zero or 0 K – the lowest possible temperature in the universe.
On this reading, all molecular motion had stopped. Fahrenheit scale is devised by
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit and is the English Unit of temperature. Celsius scale is
also known as centigrade scale, a scale devised by Anders Celsius.

Conversion of Units
5
a. oC = (oF – 32)
9

b.
c. K = oC + 273
d. oC = K – 273
5
e. K = (oF – 32) + 273
9
f.

3. Volume
The space occupied by matter is its volume. The SI unit of volume is cubic meter
(m3). At Standard temperature and Pressure (STP), where temperature = 273 K and
Pressure = 1 atm, the volume of 1 mole of any gas = 22.4 L.

Conversion Factor
1 m3 = 1.0 x 10 6 cm3
= 1,000 L
1 L = 1,000 cm3
= 1,000 mL
1 mL = 1 cm3

GAS LAWS
Boyle’s Law (Pressure – Volume Relationship at constant Temperature)
Boyle’s Law was formulated by Robert Boyle. The law states that the pressure of a fixed
amount of gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature. This means
that doubling the volume of a gas in a container will cause the pressure to be reduced to ½.

General Formula:
PV = k1
At 2 different conditions:
P1V1 = P2V2 – Boyle’s Law

2
Example
A sample of chlorine gas occupies a volume of 946 mL at a pressure of 726 mmHg. What
is the pressure of the gas (in mmHg) if the volume is reduced at constant temperature to
154 mL?
Given: V1 = 946 mL V2 = 154 mL
P1 = 726 mmHg P2 = ?
P 1 V 1 (726 mmHg)(946 mL )
P2 = = = 4,459.71 mmHg
V2 154 mL

Drill: Try this.

If a gas at 25.0 °C occupies 3.60 liters at a pressure of 1.00 atm, what will be its volume at
a pressure of 2.50 atm?
(Answer V2 = 1.44 L)

Charles Law (Temperature – Volume Relationship at constant Pressure)

This was formulated by Jacques Charles. The law states that the volume of a fixed amount
of gas maintained at constant pressure is directly proportional to the absolute
temperature of the gas. This means that if you double the temperature of the gas, it will
cause its volume to increase twice.

Note: Temperature should be expressed in the absolute scale (in Kelvin scale)

General Formula
V
= k1
T
At 2 different conditions, the general formula becomes:

Example
A sample of carbon monoxide gas occupies 3.20 L at 125 0C. At what temperature will the
gas occupy a volume of 1.54 L if the pressure remains constant?
Given: V1 = 3.2 L V2 = 1.54 L
o
T1 = 125 C + 273 = 398 K T2 = ?

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 V 2 T 1 ( 1.54 L ) (398 K)
T2 = = = 191.54 K or - 81.46 oC
V1 3.2 L

Drill: Try this.

What change in volume results if 60.0 mL of gas is cooled from 33.0 °C to 5.00 °C?
(Answer: Change in Volume = 5.49 mL)
Combined Gas Law
Combining Boyle’s Law and Charles’ Law will result to a Combined Gas Law
General Formula
Boyle’s Law - PV = k
V
Charles’ Law - =k
T
PV
Combining these formulae forms = k - Combined Gas Law
T

At 2 different conditions, this becomes:

Example
A 500.0 liters of a gas in a flexible-walled container are prepared at 700.0 mmHg and 200.0
°C. The gas is placed into a tank under high pressure. When the tank cools to 20.0 °C, the
pressure of the gas is 30.0 atm. What is the volume of the gas?
Given: V1 = 500 L V2 = ?
1 atm
P1 = 700 mmHg x = 0.9211 atm P2 = 30 atm
760 mmHg
T1 = 200 oC + 273 = 473 K T2 = 20oC + 273 = 293 K

P 1 V 1T 2 (0.9211 atm)(500 L)(293 K )

V2 = = = 9.51 L
P2T 1 (30 atm)(473 K )

Drill: Try this.

The pressure of a gas is reduced to 75% of its initial value and the volume is increased by
40% of its initial value. Find the final temperature, given that the initial temperature was −10
°C. (Answer: T2 = 276.15 K = 3.15 °C)

Gay-Lussac’s Law (Pressure – Temperature Relationship at constant Volume)

This law is more correctly referred to as Amontons's law. It was formulated by Joseph Gay-
Lussac. The law states that the pressure of a given mass of gas varies directly with the
absolute temperature of the gas, when the volume is kept constant. A practical application
of this law is the use of the pressure cooker.

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General Formula
P
= k1
T

At 2 different conditions, this becomes

Example
A 30.0 L sample of nitrogen inside a rigid, metal container at 20.0 °C is placed inside an
oven whose temperature is 50.0 °C. The pressure inside the container at 20.0 °C was at
3.00 atm. What is the pressure of the nitrogen after its temperature is increased to 50.0 °C?
Given: T1 = 20 oC + 273 = 293 K P1 = 3.0 atm
T2 = 50 oC + 273 = 323 K P2 = ?
P 1 T 2 (3.0 atm)(323 K )
P2 = = = 3.3072 atm
T1 293 K

Drill: Try this.

1. If a gas is cooled from 323.0 K to 273.15 K and the volume is kept constant what
final pressure would result if the original pressure was 750.0 mmHg?
(Answer: P2= 634.25 atm)
2. Argon is an inert gas used in lightbulbs to retard the vaporization of the filament. A
certain lightbulb containing argon at 1.20 atm and 18 0C is heated to 85 0C at
constant volume. What is the final pressure of argon in the lightbulb (in atm)?
(Answer: P2 = 1.48 atm)

Avogadro’s Law (Volume – Amount of Substance Relationship)

This law was formulated by Amedeo Avogadro. This law states that at constant pressure
and temperature, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to the number of moles of the
gas present.

5
General formula
v
= k1
n
At 2 different conditions, this becomes:

Example

Example 2
Ammonia burns in oxygen to form nitric oxide (NO) and water vapor. How many volumes of
NO are obtained from one volume of ammonia at the same temperature and pressure?

Example 3.
If 0.00810 mol neon gas at a particular temperature and pressure occupies a volume of 214
mL, what volume would 0.00684 mol neon gas occupy under the same conditions?
Given: n1 = 0.00810 mol V1 = 214 mL
n2 = 0.00684 mol V2 = ?
V 1 n 2 (214 mL)(0.00684 mol )
V2 = = = 180.71 mL
n1 0.00810 mol

Example 4.
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 A flexible container at an initial volume of 6.13 L contains 7.51 mol of gas. More gas is then
added to the container until it reaches a final volume of 13.5 L. Assuming the pressure and
temperature of the gas remain constant, calculate the number of moles of gas added to the
container.
Given; V1 = 6.13 L n1 = 7.51 mol
V2 = 13.5 L n2 = ?
V 2n1
n2 = = (13.5 L)¿ ¿ = 16.5492 mol
V1
Therefore, the number of moles added to the container is:
= 16.5492 mol – 7.51 mol
= 9.04 mol

Drill: Try this.

1. A container with a volume of 25.47 L holds 1.050 mol of oxygen gas (O 2) whose
molar mass is 31.9988 g/mol. What is the volume if 7.210 g of oxygen gas is
removed from the container, assuming the pressure and temperature remain
constant? (Answer: V2 = 20.0873 L)
2. What volume (in L) will 5.5 g of oxygen molecule occupy if 2.2 g of the oxygen
molecule occupies 3.0 L? (Under constant pressure and temperature.)
(Answer: V2 = 7.5 L)
3. A cylinder with a movable piston contains 2.00 g of helium, He, at room temperature.
More helium was added to the cylinder and the volume was adjusted so that the gas
pressure remained the same. How many grams of helium were added to the cylinder
if the volume was changed from 2.00 L to 2.50 L? (The temperature was held
constant.) (Answer: m = 0.5 grams)

Ideal Gas Law

Combining the different gas laws:
Boyle’s Law → PV = k
V
Charles’ Law → =k
T
P
Gay – Lussac’s Law → =k
T
V
Avogadro’s Law → =k
n
Combining these equations to form a single master equation for the behavior of gases:
PV
= k but k is R (universal gas constant), therefore, this becomes
nT

PV
= R or PV = nRT – known as the ideal gas equation
nT

The Ideal Gas Equation describes the relationship among the four variables P, V, T, and n.
An ideal gas is a hypothetical gas whose pressure – volume – temperature behavior can be
completely accounted for by the ideal gas equation. The molecules of an ideal gas do not
attract or repel one another, and their volume is negligible compared with the volume of the
container.

Note: The conditions 0 0C (273K) and 1 atm are called standard temperature and
pressure (STP). Experiments show that at STP, 1 mole of an ideal gas occupies
22.414 L. Therefore, what is the value of R at STP
PV = nRT
PV (1 atm)(22.4 L) L . atm
R= = = 0.08205
nT (1mol )(273 K ) mol . K

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The different values of R (universal gas constant)
a. 0.08205 L atm mol-1 K-1 or 0.08205 L.atm/mol.K
b. 62.364 L Torr mol-1 K-1 or 62.364 L.torr/mol.K
c. 8.3145 m3 Pa mol-1 K-1 or 8.3145 m3.Pa/mol.K
d. 8.3145 J mol-1 K-1 or 8.3145 J/mol.K

Other equations that can be derived from the ideal gas equation
From the equation PV = nRT:
nRT nRT PV PV
a. P = b. V = c. n = d. T =
V P RT nR
mRT
e. P = where m = mass and fm = formula mass
V fm
PVfm
f. m =
RT
mRT mRT mRT PVfm PVfm
g. fm = P= V= m= T=
PV fmV Pfm RT mR
dRT
h. P = where d = density
fm
Pfm
i. d =
RT
dRT
j. fm =
P

Sample Problems
1. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) is a colorless, odorless, very unreactive gas. Calculate the
pressure (in atm) exerted by 1.82 moles of the gas in a steel vessel of volume 5.43 L
at 69.5 oC.

Given: n = 1.82 mol SF6 V = 5.43 L T = 69.5 oC + 273 = 342.5 K P=?

PV = nRT

P=
V
= (
nRT ( 1.82mol ) 0.08205 L .
atm
mol )
. K ( 342.5 K )
= 9.4191 atm
5.43 L

2. Calculate the volume (in liters) occupied by 7.40 g of NH3 at STP.

Given: at STP: T = 0 oC +273 K = 273 K mNH3 = 7.40 g V=?
P = 1 atm fmNH3 = 17 g/mol

V=
mRT
=
(
( 7.40 g ) 0.08205 L.
atm
mol). K ( 273 K )
= 9.7504 L
Pfm
( )
( 1 atm ) 17
g
mol
3. Calculate the density of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in grams per liter (g/L) at 0.990 atm
and 55 oC.
Given: P = 0.990 atm T = 55 oC + 273 = 328 K fm CO2 = 44 g/mol
d=?
g
(0.990 atm)( 44 )
Pfm mol
d= = = 1.6186 g/L
RT atm
(0.08205 L . . K)(328 K )
mol

8
 4. A chemist has synthesized a greenish-yellow gaseous compound of chlorine and
oxygen and finds that its density is 7.71 g/L at 36 oC and 2.88 atm. Calculate the
molar mass of the compound and determine its molecular formula.
Given: d = 7.71 g/L T = 36 oC + 273 = 309 K P = 2.88 atm fm = ?
g atm
Pfm dRT (7.71 )(0.08205 L. . K )(309 K)
d= fm = = L mol
RT P
2.88 atm
= 67.8733 g/mol

5. Chemical analysis of a gaseous compound showed that it contained 33.0 percent

silicon (Si) and 67.0 percent fluorine (F) by mass. At 35°C, 0.210 L of the compound
exerted a pressure of 1.70 atm. If the mass of 0.210 L of the compound was 2.38 g,
calculate the molecular formula of the compound.
Given: Si = 33.0 % F = 67 % T = 35 oC + 273 = 308 K V = 0.21 L P = 1.70
atm
m = 2.38 g
a. Determine first the empirical formula of the compound:
1mol Si 1.18 mol Si
Si = 33.0 % = 33.0 g Si x = 1.18 mol Si = 1 Si
28 g Si 1.18 mol
1mol F 3.53 mol F
F = 67 % = 67 g F x = 3.53 mol F =3F
19 g F 1.18 mol
Therefore, the Empirical Formula is SiF3 and its empirical mass = 85 g/mol
b. Determine the fm:
atm
mRT (2.38 g)(0.08205 L . . K )(308 K )
fm = = mol = 168.48 g/mol
PV
(1.70 atm)(0.21 L)
c. Determine molecular formula
formula mass
MF = x Empirical Formula
emprical mass
168.48 g /mol
= x SiF3
85 g /mol
= 2 x SiF3
Therefore, MF = Si2F6

Drill: Try to solve the following problems.

1. Determine the volume of occupied by 2.34 grams of carbon dioxide gas at STP.
(Answer: V = 1.19 L)
2. A sample of argon gas at STP occupies 56.2 liters. Determine the number of moles
of argon and the mass of argon in the sample.
(Answer: n = 2.50866 mol, m = 100 g)
3. At what temperature will 0.654 moles of neon gas occupy 12.30 liters at 1.95
atmospheres? (Answer: T = 447 K)
4. A 30.6 g sample of gas occupies 22.414 L at STP. What is the molecular weight of
this gas? (Answer: fm = 30.6 g/mol)
5. What is the density (in g/L) of uranium hexafluoride (UF6 ) at 779 mmHg and 62 oC?
(Answer: 13.1 g/L)
6. The density of a gaseous organic compound is 3.38 g/L at 40 oC and 1.97 atm. What
is its molar mass? (Answer: 44.1 g/mol)
7. A gaseous compound is 78.14 percent boron and 21.86 percent hydrogen. At 27°C,
74.3 mL of the gas exerted a pressure of 1.12 atm. If the mass of the gas was
0.0934 g, what is its molecular formula? (Answer: MF = B2H6)

Gas Stoichiometry

9
Stoichiometric relationships between the components of reactants and products can also be
determined if the substances involved in a chemical reaction are the gaseous state.

Example:
1. Calculate the volume of O2 (in liters) required for the complete combustion of 7.64 L
of acetylene (C2H2 ) measured at the same temperature and pressure.
2C2H2(g) + 5O2(g) → 4CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Given: 7.64 L V = ?

2. Sodium azide (NaN3) is used in some automobile air bags. The impact of a collision
triggers the decomposition of NaN3 as follows:
2NaN3(s) → 2Na(s) + 3N2(g)
The nitrogen gas produced quickly inflates the bag between the driver and the
windshield and dashboard. Calculate the volume of N 2 generated at 80°C and 823
mmHg by the decomposition of 60.0 g of NaN3.
2NaN3(s) → 2Na(s) + 3N2(g)
Given: m = 60 g
fm = 65 g/mol T = 80 oC + 273 = 353 K
1 atm
P = 823 mmHg x = 1.0829
760 mmHg
atm
V=?
a. determine the number of moles of N2 produced during collision:

b. Compute Volume of N2 using PV = nRT

atm
nRT (1.3846 mol)(0.08205 L . . K )(353 K)
V= = mol = 37.033 L N2
P
1.0829 atm

3. Aqueous lithium hydroxide solution, LiOH, is used to purify air in spacecrafts and
submarines because it absorbs carbon dioxide, CO 2, which is an end product of
metabolism, according to the equation;
2LiOH(aq) + CO2(g) → Li2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
The pressure of carbon dioxide inside the cabin of a submarine having a volume of
2.4 x 10 5 L is 7.9 x 10 -3 atm at 312 K. A solution of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) of
negligible volume is introduced into the cabin. Eventually the pressure of CO 2 falls to
1.2 x 10 -4 atm. How many grams of lithium carbonate are formed by this process?
2LiOH(aq) + CO2(g) → Li2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
Given P1 = 7.9 x 10 -3 atm P2 = 1.2 x 10 -4 atm
V = 2.4 x 10 5 L
T = 312 K
n=?
a. Determine no. of mol of CO2
PV
PV = nRT n= but there are two conditions of P in the problem
RT
∆ PV
Therefore, this equation becomes n =
RT

10
 2.4 x 105 L
( )
( a tm
)
-3 -4
= (7.9 x 10 atm – 1.2 x 10 atm)
0.08205 L . . K ( 312 K )
mol
= (7.78 x 10 -3)(9,232.19 mol)
= 71.83 mol CO2
b. Determine the amount of Li2CO3 produced in the reaction
1mol Li 2CO 3 74 g Li 2 CO 3
71.83 mol CO2 x x = 5, 315.42 g Li
1mol CO 2 1mol Li 2CO 3

4. A 2.14-L sample of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas at 2.61 atm and 28°C is completely
dissolved in 668 mL of water to form hydrochloric acid solution. Calculate the
molarity of the acid solution. Assume no change in volume.
Given: V = 2.14 L P = 2.61 atm T = 28 oC + 273 = 301 K
1L
V solution = 2.14 L HCl + 668 mL H2O x = 2.808 L solution
1,000 mL
(2.61 atm)(2.14 L)
PV
n= = atm = 0.2262 mole
RT (0 .08205 L . . K )(301 K )
mol
mole of solute 0.2262 mol moles
M= = = 0.0806 or 0.0806 M
Liter of solution 2.808 L L

Drill: Try to solve the following problems.

1. Assuming no change in temperature and pressure, calculate the volume of O 2 (in
liters) required for the complete combustion of 14.9 L of butane (C4H10):
2C4H10(g) + 13O2(g) → 8CO2(g) + 10H2O(l)
(Answer: V = 96.9 L)
2. The equation for the metabolic breakdown of glucose (C6H12O6) is the same as the
equation for the combustion of glucose in air:
C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l)
Calculate the volume of CO2 produced at 37°C and 1.00 atm when 5.60 g of glucose
is used up in the reaction. (Answer: V = 4.75 L)

Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressure

Dalton’s law of partial pressures, which states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases
is just the sum of the pressures that each gas would exert if it were present alone.

11
Example:
1. A container holds three gases: oxygen, carbon dioxide, and helium. The partial
pressures of the three gases are 2.00 atm, 3.00 atm, and 4.00 atm, respectively.
What is the total pressure inside the container?
Given: PO2 = 2.00 atm PCO2 = 3.00 atm PHe = 4.00 atm
PT = PO2 + PCO2 + PHe
= 2.00 atm + 3.00 atm + 4.00 atm
= 9.00 atm

2. The partial pressure of F2 in a mixture of gases where the total pressure is 1.00 atm
is 300 torr. What is the mole fraction of F2?
1 atm
Given: PF2 = 300 torr x = 0.3947 atm PT = 1 atm XF2 = ?
760torr

3. A mixture of gases contains 4.46 moles of neon (Ne), 0.74 mole of argon (Ar), and
2.15 moles of xenon (Xe). Calculate the partial pressures of the gases if the total
pressure is 2.00 atm at a certain temperature.
Given: nNe = 4.46 mol nAr = 0.74 mol nXe = 2.15 mol
PT = 2.00 atm
nT = nNe + nAr + nXe

nT = 7.35 mol
a. Determine mole fraction X for each gas
4.46 mol
XNe = = 0.6068
7.35 mol
0.74 mol
XAr = = 0.1007
7.35 mol
2.15 mol
XXe = = 0.2925
7.35 mol
b. Determine the partial pressure for each gas
PNe = (XNe)(PT)
= (0.6068)(2.00 atm)
= 1.2136 atm
PAr = (XAr)(PT)
= (0.1007)(2.00 atm)
= 0.2014 atm
PXe = (XXe)(PT)
= (0.2925)(2 atm)
= 0.585 atm

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 4. A mixture of 14.0 grams of hydrogen, 84.0 grams of nitrogen, and 2.00 moles of
oxygen are placed in a flask. When the partial pressure of the oxygen is 78.00 mm of
mercury, what is the total pressure in the flask?
1 atm
Given: mH2 = 14 g mN2 = 84 g nO2 = 2 mol PO2 = 78 mmHg x = 0.1026
760 mmHg
atm

Total no. of mol = 7 mol H2 + 3 mol N2 + 2 mol O2 = 12 mol

2mol
XO2 = = 0.167
12mol

PO2 = (XO2)(PT)
P O 2 0.1026 atm
PT = = = 0.6144 atm
X O2 0.167

Drill: Try to solve the following problems.

1. A sample of natural gas contains 8.24 moles of methane (CH 4), 0.421 mole of
ethane (C2H6), and 0.116 mole of propane (C3H8). If the total pressure of the gases is
1.37 atm, what are the partial pressures of the gases?
(Answer: CH4 = 1.29 atm, C2H6 = 0.0657 atm, C3H8 = 0.0181 atm)
2. If you place 3.00 mol of N 2 and 4.00 mol of O2 in a 35.0 L container at 25.0 °C, what
will the pressure of the resulting mixture of gases be? (Answer: PT = 4.48 atm)

Partial Pressure of Gases Collected Over Water

13
Example:
1. Oxygen gas generated by the decomposition of potassium chlorate is collected over
water. The volume of oxygen collected at 24°C and atmospheric pressure of 762
mmHg is 128 mL. Calculate the mass (in grams) of oxygen gas obtained. The
pressure of the water vapor at 24°C is 22.4 mmHg.
Given: VO2 = 128 mL = 0.128 L
T = 24 oC + 273 = 297 K
PT = 762 mmHg = 1.0026 atm
PH2O = 22.4 mmHg = 0.0295 atm
Solution:
PT = PO2 + PH2O
PO2 = PT – PH2O
= 1.0026 atm – 0.0295 atm
= 0.9732 atm
g
(0.9732 atm)(0.128 L)(32 )
PVfm mol
PV = nRT m= = (297 K)¿ = 0.1636 g
RT atm
0.08205 L . .K¿
mol
2. If 60.0 L of nitrogen is collected over water at 40.0 °C when the atmospheric
pressure is 760.0 mmHg, what is the partial pressure of the nitrogen? The pressure
of water at 40 oC is 55.32 mmHg.
Given: VN2 = 60 L
TP = 760 mmHg = 1 atm
T = 40 oC +273 = 313 K
PH2O = 55.32 mmHg = 0.0728 atm
PN2 = PT – PH2O
= 1 atm – 0.0728 atm
= 0.9272 atm

Drill: Try to solve the following problems:

Hydrogen gas generated when calcium metal reacts with water is collected as shown in
Figure 5.15 . The volume of gas collected at 30°C and pressure of 988 mmHg is 641 mL.
What is the mass (in grams) of the hydrogen gas obtained? The pressure of water vapor at
30°C is 31.82 mmHg. (Answer: m = 0.0653 grams)

Gas Diffusion and Effusion

The gradual mixing of molecules of one gas with molecules of another by virtue of their
kinetic properties is known as diffusion. Always remember that diffusion of gases happens
gradually and not instantly. Furthermore, a lighter gas will diffuse through a certain space
more quickly than will a heavier gas.

14
In 1832, the Scottish chemist Thomas Graham found that the rates of diffusion of gases are
inversely proportional to the square roots of their molar masses at constant temperature
and pressure. This statement is now known as Graham’s law of diffusion, is expressed
mathematically as:

where r1 and r2 are the diffusion rates of gases 1 and 2, and and are their molar
masses, respectively.

The process by which a gas under pressure escapes from one compartment of a container
to another by passing through a small opening is known as effusion. Although effusion
differs from diffusion in nature, the rate of effusion of a gas has the same form as Graham’s
law of diffusion. A helium-fi lled rubber balloon defl ates faster than an air-fi lled one
because the rate of effusion through the pores of the rubber is faster for the lighter helium
atoms than for the air molecules.


r1 t2 M2
= =
r2 t1 M1
where t1 and t2 are the times for effusion
for gases 1 and 2, respectively

Example 1:
A flammable gas made up only of carbon and hydrogen is found to effuse through a porous
barrier in 1.50 min. Under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, it takes an
equal volume of bromine vapor 4.73 min to effuse through the same barrier. Calculate the
molar mass of the unknown gas, and suggest what this gas might be.

Given: t1 = 4.73 min t2 = 1.50 min x

M1 = 160 g/mol M2 = ?
Solution:

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Example 2.
Gas X has a molar mass of 72 g/mol and Gas Y has a molar mass of 2 g/mol. How much
faster or slower does Gas Y effuse from a small opening than Gas X at the same
temperature?

Given: t Gas X = 1 MGasX = 72 g/mol

t Gas Y = 1 MGasY = 2 g/mol

Solution:

Problem 3.
Compare the rate of diffusion of NH3 and HCl at the same temperature and pressure.

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Drill: Determine the folowing.
1. It takes 192 s for an unknown gas to effuse through a porous wall and 84 s for the
same volume of N2 gas to effuse at the same temperature and pressure. What is the
molar mass of the unknown gas? (Answer: 146 g/mol)
2. Nickel forms a gaseous compound of the formula Ni(CO) x. What is the value of x
given that under the same conditions methane (CH 4) effuses 3.3 times faster than
the compound? (Answer: x = 4)

Real Gases
Gases that do not conform to the tenets of Kinetic Molecular Theory (ideal behavior)
specially at high pressures and low temperatures are known as real gases. The extent of
deviation from ideality is measured using the compressibility factor which is obtained by
PV
solving n using the ideal gas equation n = ,which under ideal conditions is always equal
RT
to 1.

Real Gases at High Pressure

At higher pressures, gas molecules are closer together in a space. As a result of this
crowding, gas molecules experience greater attractive intermolecular forces. Intermolecular
forces hold molecules together more, lessening the force and frequency of collisions with
the container wall and thus lowering the pressure below ideal values. As well, at higher
pressure, molecules occupy a larger proportion of the volume of the container. With other
gas molecules taking up a larger proportion of the volume of the container, the unoccupied
volume of the container available to any one molecule is smaller than in ideal conditions.
This decrease in available volume causes an increase in pressure beyond ideal conditions.

Real Gases at Low Temperature

Temperature also influences deviations from ideal gas behavior. As temperature
decreases, the average kinetic energy of the gas particles decreases. A larger proportion of
gas molecules therefore have insufficient kinetic energy to overcome attractive
intermolecular forces from neighboring atoms. This means that gas molecules become
“stickier” to each other, and collide with the walls of the container with less frequency and
force, decreasing pressure below that of ideal values.
In 1873, Dutch scientist Johannes van der Waals developed an equation that compensates
for deviations from ideal gas behavior.

The van der Waals equation uses two additional experimentally determined constants: a,
which is a term to correct for intermolecular forces, and b, which corrects for the volume of
the gas molecules (Table 6.3 “Selected van der Waals Constants for Gas Molecules”).
It should be noted that if the new terms a and b are equal to zero (under ideal conditions),
the equation simplifies back to the ideal gas law: PV = nRT.
Table on Selected van der Waals Constants for Gas Molecules. [2]
a (L2atm/mol2) b (L/mol)

Helium 0.034 0.0237

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 a (L2atm/mol2) b (L/mol)

Neon 0.211 0.0171

Hydrogen 0.244 0.0266

Argon 1.34 0.0322

Nitric oxide 1.358 0.02789

Oxygen 1.36 0.0318

Nitrogen 1.39 0.0391

Carbon monoxide 1.505 0.03985

Methane 2.25 0.0428

Krypton 2.32 0.0398

Carbon dioxide 3.59 0.0427

Hydrogen chloride 3.716 0.04081

Nitrous oxide 3.832 0.04415

Ammonia 4.17 0.0371

Xenon 4.19 0.0266

Cl2 6.49 0.0562

CCl4 20.4 0.138

H2O 5.46 0.0305

Example 1:
Given that 3.50 moles of NH3 occupy 5.20 L at 47°C, calculate the pressure of the gas (in
atm) using (a) the ideal gas equation and (b) the van der Waals equation.

Given:
n = 3.5 mol T = 47 oC + 273 = 320 K a= 4.17 L2atm/mol2
V = 5.20 L R = 0.08205 L.atm/mol.K b = 0.0371 L/mol

a. Ideal Gas Equation

PV = nRT
atm
nRT (3.5 mol)(0.08205 L . . K )(320 K)
P= = mol
V
5.20 L
= 17.67 atm

b. Using van der Waals Equation

2
an
(P + 2 )(V – nb) = nRT
V

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 atm
2 (3.5 mol)(0.08205 L . . K )(320 K) 2
nRT an mol L atm
P= - 2 = - (4.17 )¿ ¿
V −nb V L mol
2
( 5.20 L )−(3.5 mol)(0.0371 )
mol
91.896 atm 51.0825
= -
5.07015 27.04
= 18.1249 atm – 1.8891 atm
= 16.2358 atm

Example 2
At 27°C, 10.0 moles of a gas in a 1.50-L container exert a pressure of 130 atm. Is this an
ideal gas?
Given: P = 130 atm n = 10 molles T = 27oC + 273 = 300K
V = 1.5 L R = 0.08205 L.atm/mol.K
Solution: To check whether the gas is ideal, determine its P using ideal gas equation

atm
nRT ( 10 mol ) (0.08205 L . . K )(300 K )
P= = mol = 164.1 atm
V
1.5 L

Answer: The gas is NOT an ideal gas because the computed pressure using ideal gas
equation is 164.1 atm which is NOT equal to the pressure exerted by the gas
indicated in the problem which is 130 atm.

Example 3
Under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, which of the following gases
would behave most ideally: Ne, N2, or CH4? Explain.

Answer: Ne
Explanation: When a and b are zero, the van der Waals equation simply becomes the
ideal gas equation. In other words, an ideal gas has zero for the a and b
values of the van der Waals equation. It therefore stands to reason that
the gas with the smallest values of a and b will behave most like an ideal
gas under a specific set of pressure and temperature conditions. Of the
choices given in the problem, the gas with the smallest a and b values is
Ne (see Table on a and b values of gas molecules).

Drill: Determine the folowing.

1. Using the data shown on Table on Van der Waals Constants for Gas Molecules,
calculate the pressure exerted by 4.37 moles of molecular chlorine confined in a
volume of 2.45 L at 38°C. Compare the pressure with that calculated using the ideal
gas equation. (Answer: Preal = 30.0 atm; Pideal = 45.5 atm)
2. Using the data shown on Table on Van der Waals Constants for Gas Molecules,
calculate the pressure exerted by 2.50 moles of CO2 confined in a volume of 5.00 L
at 450 K. Compare the pressure with that predicted by the ideal gas equation.
(Answer: Preal = 18.0 atm; Pideal = 18.5 atm)

REFERENCES

Chang, R. Chemistry.(2010). 5th ed. Mc Graw Hill Book Co.. N.Y.

Manahan, Stanley E. (1993) Fundamentals of Chemistry. London: Lewis.

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Masterton and Hurley. (2004). Chemistry: Principles and Reactions. 5th ed. Thomson
Learning, Inc.

Purdue University. (22002). Special Edition of General Chemistry. McGraw-Hill Primis

Custom Publishing.

https://www.space.com/17683-earth-atmosphere.html

https://www.chemteam.info/GasLaw/Gas-Charles-Problems1-10.html

https://opentextbc.ca/introductorychemistry/chapter/real-gases-2/

https://www.space.com/17683-earth-atmosphere.html

https://www.chemteam.info/GasLaw/Gas-Charles-Problems1-10.html

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