Chapter 10 Gases

10.8 The Ideal Gas Law

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

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Ideal Gas Law

• The relationship between the four properties (P, V, n,

and T) of gases can be written equal to a constant R.
PV = R
nT
• Rearranging this expression gives the expression
called the Ideal Gas Law.
PV = nRT

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Universal Gas Constant, R

The universal gas constant, R:

• Can be calculated using the molar volume of a gas at
STP
• Calculated at STP uses 273 K,1.00 atm, 1 mol of a gas,
and a molar volume of 22.4 L
P V
R = PV = (1.00 atm)(22.4 L)
nT (1 mol) (273K)
n T
= 0.0821 L atm
mol K
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Learning Check

Another value for the universal gas constant is

obtained using mm Hg for the STP pressure. What is
the value of R when a pressure of 760 mm Hg is
placed in the R value expression?

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Solution

What is the value of R when a pressure of 760

mm Hg is placed in the R value expression?

R = PV = (760 mm Hg) (22.4 L)

nT (1 mol) (273 K)

= 62.4 L mm Hg
mol K

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Learning Check

Dinitrogen oxide (N2O), laughing gas, is used by

dentists as an anesthetic. If a 20.0 L tank of
laughing gas contains 2.86 mol N2O at 23°C, what
is the pressure (mm Hg) in the tank?

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

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Solution

1. Adjust the units of the given properties to match the

units of R.

V = 20.0 L 20.0 L
T = 23°C + 273 296 K
n = 2.86 mol 2.86 mol
P = ? ?

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Solution

2. Rearrange the ideal gas law for P.

P = nRT
V
3. Substitute quantities and solve.

P = (2.86 mol)(62.4 L mm Hg)(296 K)

(20.0 L) (mol K)

= 2.64 x 103 mm Hg

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Learning Check

A cylinder contains 5.0 L

of O2 at 20.0°C and 0.85
atm. How many grams
of oxygen are in the
cylinder?

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Solution

1. Determine the given properties.

P = 0.85 atm, V = 5.0 L, T = 293 K, n ( or g =?)

2. Rearrange the ideal gas law for n (moles).

n = PV
RT
= (0.85 atm)(5.0 L)(mol K) = 0.18 mol O2
(0.0821atm L)(293 K)
3. Convert moles to grams using molar mass.
= 0. 18 mol O2 x 32.0 g O2 = 5.8 g O2
1 mol O2
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Molar Mass of a Gas

What is the molar mass of a gas if 0.250 g of the gas

occupy 215 mL at 0.813 atm and 30.0°C?
1. Solve for the moles (n) of gas.
n = PV = (0.813 atm) (0.215 L)mol K = 0.00703 mol

RT (0.0821 L atm)(303K)

2. Set up the molar mass relationship.

Molar mass = g = 0.250 g = 35.6 g/mol
mol 0.00703 mol

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