Gas Laws

How do Gasses Exert Pressure?

Gas particles are constantly moving in a random pattern.
As gas particles collide with the walls of their containers, they create
pressure (P). Pressure can be measured in pascals (Pa), or
atmospheres (atm).

= PRESSURE
Gases do not have a fixed volume (V). They can expand and
condense to fit the size of their container. Changing the size of the
container, or the number of particles in the container can change
the pressure.
As the temperature (T) is changed, the speed at which the gas
particles travel is changed, altering the number of collisions.

There are three equations, or gas laws that can be used to

determine how the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas are
related to each other.
Note: The Kelvin scale must be used for the gas laws.
Boyle’s Law
At constant temperature, the pressure and volume of a gas
are inversely proportional (if one increases the other
decreases).
Charles’ Law
At constant pressure, the volume and temperature of a gas
are directly proportional (both increase, or decrease
together).
Gay-Lussac’s Law
At constant volume, the pressure and temperature of a gas
are directly proportional.
Combined Gas Law
Instead of memorizing all three formulas, the gas laws can
be combined into one formula.
When solving gas law problem simply eliminate the variable
that remains constant.
Example 1: A sample of gas has an initial volume of 25 L and an initial
pressure of 3.5 atm. If the volume changes to 35 L, find the new pressure,
assuming that the temperature remains constant.
We can cross temperature out of the Determine your variables:
equation, since it is constant. P1 = 3.5 atm
V1 = 25 L
P2 = unknown
V2 = 35 L
Solve for the unknown variable by substituting the known variable into the equation.

(3.5)(25)
(3.5)(25) = (P2)(35) = P2 P2 = 2.5 atm
35
Example 2: A sample of neon is at 89°C and 1.0 atm. If the pressure
changes to 1.5 atm and the volume remains constant, find the new
temperature.
We can cross volume out of the Determine your variables:
equation, since it is constant. P1 = 1.0 atm Don’t forget to
T1 = 89C + 273 = 362 K convert your
P2 = 1.5 atm temperature into
T2 = unknown Kelvin!
Solve for the unknown variable by substituting the known variable into the equation.

1.0 1.5
= (T2)(1.0) = (1.5)(362) T2 = 543 K
362 T2
Example 3. The temperature of a gas is changed from 250 K to 130 K. If
its new volume is 28 L, what volume was it taking up before the
temperature change?
We can cross pressure out of the Determine your variables:
equation, since it is constant. V1 = unknown
T1 = 250 K
V2 = 28 L
T2 = 130 K
Solve for the unknown variable by substituting the known variable into the equation.

V1 28 (28)(250)
= V1 = V1 = 53.8 L
250 130 130
Ideal Gas Law
How can we find the initial pressure,
volume, or temperature of a gas?

Use the ideal gas law to find the

pressure, volume, temperature, OR
number of particles of a gas, as long as
three of the four variables are known.
 PV = nRT
Where:
P = pressure in atmospheres (atm)
V = volume in liters (L)
n = number of particles in moles (mol)
R = universal gas constant = 0.0821 atm L / mol K
T = temperature in Kelvin (K)
*Note
Sometimes instead of stating the temperature and
pressure, the problem will say at STP.

STP = standard temperature and pressure

Which means… 273 K and 1.00 atm

Example 1: At what temperature will 0.65 moles of neon gas
occupy 12.30 liters at 2.0 atmospheres?
Determine your variables:
P = 2.0 atm
V = 12.3 L
n = 0.65 mol
T = unknown

Solve for the unknown variable by substituting the known variable into the equation.
PV = nRT
(2.0)(12.3)
(2.0)(12.3) = (0.65)(0.0821)(T) = T T = 460.98 K
(0.65)(0.0821)
Example 2: Calculate the volume of 3.00 moles of gas will
occupy at STP.
Determine your variables:
P = 1.0 atm
V = unknown
n = 3.00 mol
T = 273 K

Solve for the unknown variable by substituting the known variable into the equation.
PV = nRT
(3.00)(0.0821)(273)
(1.0)(V) = (3.00)(0.0821)(273) V= V = 67.24 L
1.0
Make sure to summarize what you
learned at the end of the notes.