Problem Set no 1b:

Real gases and Kinetic Molecular Theory

1) Estimate the molar volume of CO2 at 400 K and 125 atm by treating it as a Van der Waals gas.

2) Cylinders of compressed gas are typically filled to a pressure of 200 bar. For oxygen, what would
be the molar volume at this pressure and 250C based on a) the perfect gas law; b) the van der
Waals equation. For oxygen, a=1.364 atm2L2/mol2 and b=3.19x 10-2 L/mol.

3) Calculate the mean free path of molecules in air using σ=0.43 nm2 at 250C and a)10.0 atm; b) 1.0
atm; c) 1.0 x 10-6 atm.

4) Determine the ratios of the mean speeds of He and Hg atoms at 250C.

5) At what pressure does the mean free path of Argon at 250 C become comparable to the
diameters of the atoms themselves?