GAS LAWS PROPERTIES

Gas is a state of matter that has no fixed shape and no fixed volume.
Gases have lower density than other states of matter, such
as solids and liquids. There is a great deal of empty space between
particles, which have a lot of kinetic energy. The particles move very
fast and collide into one another, causing them to diffuse, or spread
out, until they are evenly distributed throughout the volume of the
container.

When more gas particles enter a container, there is less space for the
particles to spread out, and they become compressed. The particles
exert more force on the interior volume of the container. This force is
called pressure. There are several units used to express pressure. Some
of the most common are atmospheres (atm), pounds per square inch (psi),
millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and pascals (Pa). The units relate to one
another this way: 1 atm = 14.7 psi = 760 mmHg = 101.3 kPa (1,000
pascals).

Besides pressure, denoted in equations as P, gases have other

measurable properties: temperature (T), volume (V) and number of
particles, which is expressed in a mole number (n or mol). In work
involving gas temperature, the Kelvin scale is often used.

Because temperature and pressure vary from place to place, scientists

use a standard reference point, called standard temperature and
pressure (STP), in calculations and equations. Standard temperature is
the freezing point of water — 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius,
or 273.15 Kelvin). Standard pressure is one atmosphere (atm) — the
pressure exerted by the atmosphere on Earth at sea level.

Amount of Gas: Increasing the number of particles increases collisions,

which increases pressure. Removing particles reduces pressure.

Volume: Increasing the volume will decrease the pressure of a gas since
collisions are less likely. Decreasing the volume has the opposite
effect.

Temperature: Increasing the temperature increases the speed of the

molecules, which leads to more collisions and greater pressure.
Decreasing the temperature has the opposite effect.

UNITS OF PRESSURE
1 atm = 101.325 torr = torr
kPa = 760 torr = 760 mmHg = 14.7 mmHg = millimeters of mercury
psi
psi = pounds per square inch
atm = atmospheres
Units can easily be converted
kPa = kilopascals from one to another by using
dimensional analysis.
BOYLE’S LAW: THE PRESSURE-VOLUME LAW
Robert Boyle (1627-1691)
Boyle's law is named after Robert Boyle, who first stated it in 1662.
Boyle's law states that if temperature is held constant, volume and
pressure have an inverse relationship; that is, as volume increases,
pressure decreases, according to the University of California,
Increasing the amount of space available will allow the gas particles
to spread farther apart, but this reduces the number of particles
available to collide with the container, so pressure decreases.
Decreasing the volume of the container forces the particles to collide
more often, so pressure is increased.
A good example of this is when you fill a tire with air. As more air
goes in, the gas molecules get packed together, reducing their volume.
As long as the temperature stays the same, the pressure increases.
If the temperature is constant, as pressure of a gas increases the
volume decreases.
1
𝑉∝
𝑃
𝑃𝑉 = 𝐾
𝑃1 𝑉1 = 𝑃2 𝑉2
A gas occupies 12.3 liters at a pressure of 40.0 mmHg. What is the
volume when the pressure is increased to 60.0 mmHg?
𝑃1 𝑉1 = 𝑃2 𝑉2
(40.0 mmHg) (12.3 L) = (60.0 mmHg) 𝑉2
(40.0𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)(12.3 𝐿)
𝑉2 =
60.0𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔
𝑉2 = 8.20 𝐿

500.0 mL of a gas is collected at 745.0 mmHg. What will the volume be

at standard pressure?
(745.0 mmHg) (500.0 mL) = (760.0 mmHg) 𝑉2
(745.0𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)(500.0 𝐿)
𝑉2 =
760.0𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔
𝑉2 = 490.10 𝑚𝐿

Real-World Applications
Spray paint
Before you spray a can of paint, you are supposed to shake it up for a
while as a ball bearing rattles around inside. There are two substances
inside the can: one is your product (paint for example), and the other
is a gas that can be pressurized so much that it retains a liquid
state, even when it is heated past its boiling point.
This liquefied gas has a boiling point far below room temperature.
Because the can is sealed, the gas is prevented from boiling and
turning into a gas. That is, until you push down the nozzle.
The moment the nozzle of a spray paint can goes down, the seal is
broken and the propellant instantly boils, expands into a gas, and
pushes down on the paint. Under the high pressure, the paint is forced
out of the nozzle as it attempts to reach an area with lower pressure.

The syringe
When you pull the plunger out on a syringe, it causes the volume within
the chamber to increase. As we know, this causes the pressure to do the
opposite, which then creates a vacuum. When a syringe is empty, the
vacuum within the chamber sucks fluid in through the needle.

The soda can

Typically when we open a bottle of soda, we slowly turn the cap to
allow the air to escape before we completely remove the lid. We do this
because we've learned over time that twisting it open too fast causes
it to fizz up and spill all over. This happens because the liquid is
pumped full of carbon dioxide, causing it to bubble up as the CO2makes
its escape.
Normally you can let the gas out of a can or bottle release cleanly,
but if the bottle is shaken up and the gas is mixed into the liquid,
then you may have a mess on your hands. This is because the gas trying
to escape is mixed into the fluid, so, when it does escape, it brings
the foamy fluid out with it. Pressure in the bottle goes down, volume
of the gas goes up.

The bends
As a diver goes deeper underwater, that pressure begins to increase.
Water is heavy, after all. With the increasing pressure causing a
decrease in volume, nitrogen gasses begin to be absorbed by the diver's
blood.
When the diver begins his ascent and the pressure is lessened, these
gas molecules begin to expand back to their normal volume. With a slow
ascent, or through the use of a depressurization chamber, those gasses
can work their way back out of the bloodstream slowly and normally. But
if the diver ascends too quickly, the blood in their veins becomes a
foamy mess. The same thing that happens to a foamy soda is what happens
to a diver's bloodstream during the bends. On top of that, any built up
nitrogen between the diver's joints will also expand, causing the diver
to bend over in severe pain. In the worst cases, this sudden
depressurization of the body can kill a person instantly.
CHARLES’S LAW: THE TEMPERATURE-VOLUME LAW
Jacques Charles (1746-1823)
In 1802, Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac, a French chemist and physicist
referenced data gathered by his countryman, Jacque Charles, in a paper
describing the direct relationship between the temperature and volume
of a gas kept at a constant pressure. Most texts refer to this as
Charles' law, but a few call it Gay-Lussac's law, or even the Charles
Gay-Lussac law.
This law states that the volume and temperature of a gas have a direct
relationship: As temperature increases, volume increases, when pressure
is held constant. Heating a gas increases the kinetic energy of the
particles, causing the gas to expand. In order to keep the pressure
constant, the volume of the container must be increased when a gas is
heated.
This law explains why it is an important safety rule that you should
never heat a closed container. Increasing temperature without
increasing the volume available to accommodate the expanding gas means
that pressure builds up inside the container and may cause it to
explode. The law also explains why a turkey thermometer pops out when
the turkey is done: The volume of air trapped under the plunger
increases as the temperature inside the turkey climbs.
If the pressure is constant, as temperature of a gas increases the
volume increases.
𝑉∝𝑇
𝑉
=𝐾
𝑇
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
*Temperature must be in Kelvin for all gas laws*
*To get from 0⁰C to K, add 273

A gas occupies 1.00 L at standard temperature. What is the volume at

333.0 °C?
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
1.00 𝐿 𝑉2
=
273.0 𝐾 606.0 𝐾
(1.00 L) (606.0 K)
𝑉2 =
273.0 K
𝑉2 = 2.22 𝐿
At 225.0 °C a gas has a volume of 400.0 mL. What is the volume of this
gas at 127.0 °C?
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
400.0 𝑚𝐿 𝑉2
=
498.0 𝐾 400.0 𝐾

(400.0 mL) (400.0 K)

𝑉2 =
498.0 K
𝑉2 = 321 mL
Real-World Applications
Helium Balloon on a Cold Day
If it's cold outside, the helium balloon will crumple. Once you enter a
warm place, the balloon returns to its original shape. This is because
a gas takes up more space when it is warm.
Tire Pressure
The gas should occupy more space when heated, but a tire does not
expand very much. This causes the tire pressure to be higher when warm.
Consequently, measuring tire pressure when the tire is warm will give
you the false impression that you have filled your tires with too much
air.
The Dented Ping Pong Ball
If you are into ping-pong, also called table tennis, a dented ping pong
ball is something you have probably encountered. Rather than discard
it, you can restore it by placing it into a saucepan half filled with
water. Apply gentle heat to the saucepan, stirring constantly. If the
ball is not cracked by the dent, the air inside will expand as it
heats, pushing out the dent and restoring the ball to its original
shape.
Pool Inflatables
It's a warm sunny day. You are careful not to pump in too much air into
your inflatable raft. In spite of that, if you leave it outside the
pool, it could well pop as air inside it heats up and expands. The
solution is to pump it while the raft is in the pool; then, leave it in
the pool until you actually start using it. Deflate it immediately
after use.
Turkey Syringe Thermometer
Prior to the digital age, some thermometers used Charles' law quite
directly. Air within the thermometer placed deep within the turkey
would expand as the temperature rose. The thermometer was calibrated so
that when the correct internal temperature was reached within the
turkey, a cap affixed to the thermometer would pop off, providing a
clear visual indication that the turkey was done cooking.
Some seemingly simple laws form the foundation of physics and
chemistry. Charles' law, first elaborated in the 1880s by Jacques
Charles, explains the relatively simple relationship between a gas's
temperature and its volume. It combines with Boyle's law to form the
ideal gas law, a law of immense significance that defines the
relationship between a gas's volume, pressure, and temperature. Our
daily lives contain many examples of Charles' law in action.
GAY-LUSSAC’S LAW: THE PRESSURE-TEMPERATURE LAW
As the temperature of an enclosed gas increases, the pressure increases
at constant volume.
𝑃∝𝑇
𝑃
=𝐾
𝑇
𝑃1 𝑃2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2

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?

Solution:

𝑃1 𝑃2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2

3.00 𝐿 𝑃2
=
293 𝐾 323 𝐾

𝑃2 = 3.31 𝑎𝑡𝑚

Determine the pressure change when a constant volume of gas at 1.00 atm
is heated from 20.0 °C to 30.0 °C.

Solution:

𝑃1 𝑃2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2

1.00 𝑎𝑡𝑚 𝑃2
=
293 𝐾 323 𝐾

𝑃2 = 1.50 𝑎𝑡𝑚

Real-life Application
Firing a bullet
When gunpowder burns, it creates a significant amount of superheated
gas. The high pressure of the hot gas behind the bullet forces it out
of the barrel of the gun.
A burning automobile tire
The heat from the burning rubber will cause the air pressure in the
tire to increase and cause the weakened tire wall to explode.
Heating a closed aerosol can

The increased pressure may cause the container to explode. You don't
toss an "empty" can of hairspray into afire.
IDEAL GAS LAW
𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑡
R = universal gas constant = 0.08206 L∙atm K−1 mol−1
P = pressure (in atm)
V = volume (in liters)
n = moles
T = temperature (in Kelvin)
The moles of gas are no longer a constant, and is now represented by
“n”. There is also a gas constant, “R”. The gas constant depends on the
unit for pressure.
R = 0.0821 L*atm mol*K R = 8.31 L*kPa mol*K
𝐿 × 𝑎𝑡𝑚
𝑅 = 0.0821
𝑚𝑜𝑙 × 𝐾
𝐿 × 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑅 = 8.31
𝑚𝑜𝑙 × 𝐾

Examples:

Determine the volume of occupied by 2.34 grams of carbon dioxide gas at

STP.

Solution:

𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑡

𝑛𝑅𝑇
𝑉=
𝑃
2.34 𝑔
( ) (0.08206 𝐿 𝑎𝑡𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 𝐾 −1 )(273.0 𝐾 )
44.0 𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1
𝑉=
1.00 𝑎𝑡𝑚

𝑉 = 1.19 𝐿

A sample of argon gas at STP occupies 56.2 liters. Determine the number
of moles of argon and the mass in the sample.

Solution:

𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑡

𝑃𝑉
𝑛=
𝑅𝑇
(1.00 𝑎𝑡𝑚)(56.2 𝐿)
𝑛=
(0.08206 𝑎𝑡𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 𝐾 −1 )(273.0 𝐾)

𝑛 = 2.50866 𝑚𝑜𝑙
Multiply the moles by the atomic weight of Ar to get the grams:
𝑔
2.50866 𝑚𝑜𝑙 × 39.948 = 100 𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙

Real-life Application
Ideal gas laws explain the workings of a gasoline engine. They also
explain the mechanics of hot air balloons, which require the proper
mixture and balance of gases to inflate safely and adequately. A torch
is used to ignite gases in hot air balloons, which triggers the release
of gases that make their envelopes inflate. Ideal gas laws are also at
work in the process of inhalation as lungs expand upon inhalation but
collapse again during exhalation. This process helps air rush into the
lungs in order to keep living beings alive.
AVOGADRO’S LAW: THE VOLUME AMOUNT LAW
Amedeo Avogadro (1776-1856)
In 1811, Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro proposed the idea that equal
volumes of gas at the same temperature and pressure will have an equal
number of particles, regardless of their chemical nature and physical
properties.
Gives the relationship between volume and amount when pressure and
temperature are held constant. Remember amount is measured in
moles. Also, since volume is one of the variables, that means the
container holding the gas is flexible in some way and can expand or
contract.
If the amount of gas in a container is increased, the volume
increases. If the amount of gas in a container is decreased, the
volume decreases.
Volume is directly proportional to the number of moles of gas, V  n
(T, P constant).
𝑉∝𝑛
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑛1 𝑛2

Examples:
5.00 L of a gas is known to contain 0.965 mol. If the amount of gas is
increased to 1.80 mol, what new volume will result (at an unchanged
temperature and pressure)?
Solution:
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑛1 𝑛2
5.00 𝐿 𝑉2
=
0.965 𝑚𝑜𝑙 1.80 𝑚𝑜𝑙
(5.00 𝐿)(1.80 𝑚𝑜𝑙)
𝑉2 =
0.965 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑉2 = 9.33 𝐿

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 2.70 L? (The temperature was held constant.)
Solution:
1) Convert grams of He to moles:
2.00 g / 4.00 g/mol = 0.500 mol
2) Use Avogadro's Law:
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑛1 𝑛2
 2.00 𝐿 2.70 𝐿
=
0.500 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑛2
(2.70 𝐿)(0.500 𝑚𝑜𝑙)
𝑛2 =
2.00 𝐿
𝑛2 = 0.675 𝑚𝑜𝑙

3) Compute grams of He added:

0.675 mol - 0.500 mol = 0.175 mol
0.175 mol x 4.00 g/mol = 0.7 grams of He added

Real-life Application
Avogadro's Law, along with other gas laws, explains why bread and other
baked goods rise. Yeast or other leavening agents in the dough break
down the long carbohydrates from the flour or sugar and convert them
into carbon dioxide gas and ethanol. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles,
and, as the yeast continues to leaven the dough, the increase in the
number of particles of carbon dioxide increase the volume of the
bubbles, thereby puffing up the dough.
Avogadro's Law explains projectiles, like cannons and guns; the rapid
reaction of the gunpowder very suddenly creates a large amount of gas
particles--mostly carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases--which increase the
volume of the space behind the cannon or bullet until the projectile
has enough speed to leave the barrel.
A balloon inflates because of Avogadro's Law; the person blowing into
the balloon is inputting a lot of gas particles, so the balloon
increases in volume.
We breathe because of Avogadro's Law, among others; the lungs expand,
so more gas particles can enter the lungs from the outside air
(inhaling). Then the lungs contract, so the waste gas particles are
expelled (exhaling).
COMBINED GAS LAW
The combined gas law allows you to do calculations for situations in
which only the amount of gas is constant.
𝑇
𝑉∝
𝑃
𝑃𝑉
=𝐾
𝑇
𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑃2 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2

Examples:

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?

Solution:

𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑃2 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑇2
𝑉2 =
𝑇1 𝑃2
(0.92105 𝑎𝑡𝑚)(500 𝐿)(293 𝐾)
𝑉2 =
(473 𝐾)(30 𝑎𝑡𝑚)
𝑉2 = 9.51 𝐿

Note that the problem provides different pressure units for the
starting and ending values. I used 700/760 to convert from mmHg to atm.

At conditions of 785.0 torr of pressure and 15.0 °C temperature, a gas

occupies a volume of 45.5 mL. What will be the volume of the same gas
at 745.0 torr and 30.0 °C?

Solution:

𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑃2 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑇2
𝑉2 =
𝑇1 𝑃2
(785 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)(45.5 𝑚𝐿)(303 𝐾)
𝑉2 =
(288 𝐾)(745 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)
𝑉2 = 50.4 𝑚𝐿
Real-life Application
Refrigeration
The process of refrigeration starts when the compressed gas stored in
refrigerator coils expands. This in turn lowers the temperature of the
gas and transfers heat energy from the coil material to the gas. As gas
is pumped through the coils, its pressure compresses the heat energy.
This raises the temperature of the gas. Heat is released through the
coils into the outside air, which in turn allows the refrigerator to
stay cool. The cycle repeats when compressed gas is pumped through the
system again.
Tire Pressure
As cars proceed down the road, the amount of gas in their tires remains
constant. However, the temperature of the air within the tires
increases. Because tires have some amount of elasticity, the volume in
the tires also increases. Since tires vary in size and composition,
tire manufacturers recommend a proper level of air pressure for tires,
which varies based on the type of tire. Although the recommended
pressure numbers change, all tires have a minimum and maximum
recommendation for pounds per square inch, or PSI. Drivers maintain the
proper amount of pressure in their tires by keeping them inflated above
the minimum PSI but below the maximum PSI. For most tires, maximum
pressure is somewhere between 30 and 32 PSI. While some drivers are
tempted to fill their tires to the maximum level, doing so can be
hazardous, and it can shorten the lifespan of the tires. When tires are
inflated to the maximum, it creates a change in handling. Tires that
are inflated to the maximum amount have less give on the sidewall.
While this enables fast cornering, it can reduce the car's ability to
brake efficiently, which in turn leads to sliding. Tires that are
inflated to the maximum amount cause the center of the tire to wear out
and reduce traction, which can be unsafe for drivers.
Ideal gas constant
The kinetic energy per unit of temperature of one mole of a gas is a
constant value, sometimes referred to as the Regnault constant, named
after the French chemist Henri Victor Regnault. It is abbreviated by
the letter R. Regnault studied the thermal properties of matter and
discovered that Boyle's law was not perfect. When the temperature of a
substance nears its boiling point, the expansion of the gas particles
is not exactly uniform.

Ideal gas law you know the value of the other

Avogadro's Number, the ideal gas
constant, and both Boyle's and
Charles' laws combine to describe
a theoretical ideal gas in which
all particle collisions are
absolutely equal. The laws come
very close to describing the
behavior of most gases, but there
are very tiny mathematical
deviations due to differences in
actual particle size and tiny
intermolecular forces in real
gases. Nevertheless, these
important laws are often combined
into one equation known as the
ideal gas law. Using this law, you
can find the value of any of the
other variables — pressure,
volume, number or temperature — if
three.
Ideal vs. Real
Gases in order to behave as an
ideal gas, gases could not have
any volume and could be attracted
to other gas molecules.
This is impossible, however, under
certain conditions real gases can
behave very similarly to an ideal
gas. Real gases differ most from
an ideal gas at low temperatures
and high pressures.
Checkpoint: Why are real and ideal
gases different under these
conditions?
DALTON’S LAW OF PARTIAL PRESSURE
John Dalton (1766-!844)
Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures states that the total pressure of a
mixture of nonreacting gases is the sum of their individual partial
pressures.
In a mixture of gases, the total pressure is the sum of the partial
pressures of the gases at constant temperature.
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + ⋯

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?

Solution:

Ptot = PO2 + PCO2 + PHe

Ptot = 2.00 atm + 3.00 atm + 4.00 atm = 9.00 atm

80.0 liters of oxygen is collected over water at 50.0 °C. The

atmospheric pressure in the room is 96.00 kPa. What is the partial
pressure of the oxygen?

Solution:

Ptot = PO2 + PH2O

96.00 kPa = PO2 + 12.344 kPa

PO2 = 83.66 kPa

Real-life Application

Scuba Diving

The total gas pressure increases as a diver increases their descent,

the partial pressure of each gas involved increases as well which might
cause harm to the diver’s body if proper actions are not carried out.
For example, air is a mixture of gases which contain about 80% nitrogen
and 20% oxygen; although small amounts of other gases are present as
well. According to Dalton's law, the partial pressure exerted by the
nitrogen oxygen which make up the air will be equal to the total
pressure of the air; and will increase simultaneously. Nitrogen in this
case is the number one thing to keep an eye out for, due to the fact
that if proper precautions and diving guidelines aren’t followed, then
adverse effects can take place. Whenever there is an increase in the
partial pressure of nitrogen, this will cause a higher concentration of
nitrogen to be dissolved in the blood of the diver, which can cause
nitrogen narcosis, a common side effect. The effects of which a gas
acts on a diver are based on the pressures of which such gasses exert
on their body. This is why Dalton's law is so important for divers and
why they need to understand it. Pressure related problems can affect
the human body in several ways, such as ear canal damage and the
cardiovascular poisoning known as nitrogen narcosis.
GRAHAM’S LAW OF DIFFUSION
In 1829, Scottish chemist Thomas Graham determined, through
experimentation, that the rate of effusion of a gas is inversely
proportional to the square root of the gas particle mass and to its
density. In 1848, he showed that the rate of effusion of a gas is also
inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass of the gas.
Graham's law also shows that the kinetic energies of gases are equal at
the same temperature.
Graham's law of diffusion (also known as Graham's law of effusion)
states that the rate of effusion a gas is inversely proportional to the
square root of its molar mass. Often, it is used to compare the
effusion rates of two gases.
Diffusion: The tendency of molecules to move toward areas of lower
concentration until the concentration is uniform throughout.
Effusion: A gas escapes through a tiny hole in a container.
Gases of lower molar mass diffuse and effuse faster than gasses of
higher molar mass.

rate of effusion A MB
=√
rate of effusion B MA

Reference Points for Gases

• Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP):
• P = 1 atmosphere; T = 0°C
• Molar Volume:
• For one mole of an ideal gas at STP (calculated from the ideal
gas law): V = 22.4 L

Examples:

What is the molecular weight of a gas which diffuses 1/50 as fast as

hydrogen?

Solution:

Set rate1 = other gas = 1

Set rate2 = H2 = 50

The molecular weight of H2 = 2.02

The molecular weight of the other gas = x

1 2.02
=√
50 x

g
x = 5 050
mol
 If equal amounts of helium and argon are placed in a porous container
and allowed to escape, which gas will escape faster and how much
faster?

Solution:

Set rate1 = He = x
Set rate2 = Ar = 1

The molecular weight of He = 4.00

The molecular weight of Ar = 39.95

Graham's Law is:

x 39.95
=√
1 4.00

x = 3.16 times as fast

Real-life Application

Diffusion:

It is used in the separation of a mixture of uranium isotopes in which

the mixture of the uranium isotopes are sent into a long tube the
isotope with high molar weight reaches the end of the tube first and is
collected.

It helps us to determine the molar mass of an unknown gas if we have

the molar mass of a known gas and finding experimentally their rates of
diffusion.

The detection of methane gas in industries is done by using an

apparatus called the ainsin apparatus which has its origin from
graham's law.

It is also used to determine the vapour densities of gases." (1)

Effusion:

Effusion of gases through lungs. (Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide).

Flatulence: Emitting gases through the anus (Farting). --

>flamable:methane,

odorous: dihydrogen

sulphite

The major components of the flatus, which are odorless, by percentage

are: (2)

Nitrogen: 20–90%

Hydrogen: 0–50%

Carbon dioxide: 10–30%

Oxygen: 0–10%

Methane: 0–10%
GAS STOICHIOMETRY
The ideal gas law is used to balance equations involving gases.
 Many chemical reactions involve gases as a reactant or a product
 Gas stoichiometry is the procedure for calculating the volume of
gases as products or reactants.
 Gases also have a molar volume (L/mol) rather than concentration
 This is the conversion factor used to convert liters of gas to
moles of gas.
 The Ideal Gas Law may also be required to:
o Find the number of moles of reactant
o Find the V, P, or T of the product

Examples:
If 300g of propane burns in a gas barbecue, what volume of oxygen
measured at SATP is required for the reaction?
𝐿
Remember: 24.8 for SATP
𝑚𝑜𝑙

𝐶3 𝐻8 (𝑔) + 5 𝑂2 → 3 𝐶𝑂2 (𝑔) + 4 𝐻2 𝑂(𝑔)

m=300 g m=?
𝑔 𝐿
44.11 24.8
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑙

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 5 𝑚𝑜𝑙 24.8 𝐿

300𝑔 × × × = 843 𝐿 𝑂2 (𝑔)
44.11 𝑔 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙
Remember: Molar volume is the conversion factor for gases just like
molar mass is the conversion factor in gravimetric stoichiometry.

If 4.000 grams of hydrogen peroxide is placed within a sealed 250

milliliter container at 500 K. What is the pressure of the oxygen gas
produced in atmosphere?
2 𝐻2 𝑂2 → 2 𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑂2
Solution:
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2 𝑂2 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
4𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2 × × = 0.0588 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
34.016 𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2 𝑂2
(0.0588 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 ) × (0.0820 𝑎𝑡𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 𝐾 −1 ) × (500 𝐾 )
𝑃=
0.25 𝐿
𝑃 = 9.65 𝑎𝑡𝑚

Real-life Application
Just one moment of inattention. That’s all it took for this car to crash into the
car in front of it. The driver escaped without injury thanks to the rapid
deployment of the air bag. The rapid production of gas and expansion of the air
bag was made possible due to gas laws discovered well over one hundred years ago.
• “Air bags” are not really full of air. When inflated, they contain nitrogen
gas generated from a reaction with sodium azide. The products are nitrogen gas
(which fills the bag) and sodium metal (when then needs to be neutralized by
reaction with potassium nitrate). Enough gas is made to fill the bag, but not to
overfill it.
KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY
 Kinetic Molecular Theory states that gas particles are in constant
motion and exhibit perfectly elastic collisions.
 Kinetic Molecular Theory can be used to explain both Charles’ and
Boyle’s Law.
 The average kinetic energy of a collection of gas particles is
directly proportional to absolute temperature only.
In order to apply the kinetic model of gases, five assumptions are made:
1. Gases are made up of particles with no defined volume but with a
defined mass. In other words, their volume is miniscule compared to
the distance between themselves and other molecules.
2. Gas particles undergo no intermolecular attractions or repulsions.
This assumption implies that the particles possess no potential
energy and thus their total energy is simply equal to their kinetic
energies.
3. Gas particles are in continuous, random motion.
4. Collisions between gas particles are completely elastic. In other
words, there is no net loss or gain of kinetic energy when particles
collide.
5. The average kinetic energy is the same for all gases at a given
temperature, regardless of the identity of the gas. Furthermore,
this kinetic energy is proportional to the absolute temperature of
the gas.

The last assumption can be written in equation form as:

1 1
𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝑘𝐵 𝑇
2 2
Where:
 𝑘𝐵 is Boltzmann’s constant (𝑘𝐵 = 1.381 × 10−23 𝑚2 𝑘𝑔 𝑠 −2 𝐾 −1 ) and
 𝑇 is the absolution temperature (in Kelvin)

As their temperature increases, their speed increases, and finally

their total energy increases as well.

Examples:
Problem: Samples of H2 and He are at the same temperature. What is the
ratio of their average velocities?
The molar mass of H2 is half that of He. The temperatures of the two
samples are the same, so their kinetic energies are the same. This
leads to the following equation:
MH2(VH2)2 = MHe(VHe)2

Rearranging and solving this equation, we find that = .

Problem: A volume of H2 and an identical volume of O2 are at the same

temperature. Plot the Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distributions for the two
gases on the same graph.
Real-life Application:
Crowds can be enjoyable or intimidating. For the enthusiastic “people-
person”, crowds are lively, exciting, and fun. On the other hand, those
who experience agoraphobia (fear of public places) or haphephobia (fear
of being touched) don’t deal well with crowds. These people much prefer
a considerably less populated environment. Even presumably “normal”
individuals at times need a little space
 The kinetic-molecular theory is easiest to apply to gases. Each
gas particle is considered to be independent of all other gas
particles. Unlike couples on the dance floor, a gas particle that
collides with another gas particle just bounces off with no change
in speed, just direction. Gas particles don’t respond to heat the
same way people do. When we get hot, we become less active and
just want to sit in the shade with a cool drink of water or soda.
When gas molecules experience an increase in temperature, they get
excited and move faster. No cool drink for them.