The Ideal Gas Law

The volume (V) occupied by n moles of any gas has a pressure (P) at temperature (T) in Kelvin. The
relationship for these variables,

P V = n R T,

Where ideal gasa gas whose particles exhibit no attractive interactions whatsoever; at high
temperatures and low pressures, gases behave close to ideally

kinetic energythe energy possessed by an object because of its motion; in Kinetic Gas Theory, the kinetic
energy of gas particles is dependent upon temperature only R is known as the gas constant, is called the
ideal gas law or equation of state.

The Gas Constant R

Repeated experiments show that at standard temperature (273 K) and pressure (1 atm or 101325
N/m2 ), one mole (n = 1) of gas occupies 22.4 L volume. Using this experimental value, you can evaluate
the gas constant R,

P V 1 atm 22.4 L

R = --- = ------------

n T 1 mol 273 K

= 0.08205 L atm / (mol·K)

When SI units are desirable, P = 101325 N/m2 (Pa for pascal) instead of 1 atm. The volume is 0.0224 m3.
The numberical value and units for R is

101325 N/m2 0.0224 m3

R = ----------------------

1 mol 273 K

= 8.314 J / (mol·K)

Note that 1 L atm = 0.001 m3 x 101325 N / m2 = 101.325 J (or N m). Since energy can be expressed in
many units, other numerical values and units for R are frequently in use.
For your information, the gas constant can be expressed in the following values and units.

R = 0.08205 L atm / mol·K Notes:

= 8.3145 L kPa / mol·K 1 atm = 101.32 kPa

= 8.3145 J / mol·K 1 J = 1 L kPa

= 1.987 cal / mol·K 1 cal = 4.182 J

= 62.364 L torr/ mol·K 1 atm = 760 torr

The gas constant R is such a universal constant for all gases that its values are usually listed in the
"Physical Constants" of textbooks and handbooks. It is also listed in Constants of our HandbookMenu at
the left bottom. Although we try to use SI units all the time, the use of atm for pressure is still common.
Thus, we often use R = 8.314 J / (mol·K) or 8.3145 J / mol·K.

An "ideal gas" is one whose physical behavior is accurately described by the ideal-gas equation

The constant R is called the gas constant

The value and units of R depend on the units used in determining P, V, n and T

Temperature, T, must always be expressed on an absolute-temperature scale (K)

The quantity of gas, n, is normally expressed in moles

The units chosen for pressure and volume are typically atmospheres (atm) and liters (l), however, other
units may be chosen

PV can have the units of energy: