Macroscopic Properties

of Gases
Gas molecules, unlike solids and liquids, have spaces in
between that are large. This allows them to adjust to the
shape of their container by expanding or compressing.

2
An inflated balloon
adopts a rigid shape
depending on how
much air is pumped
inside it. At a certain
amount of air, the
balloon pops.
3
How does the balloon adopt its shape and why
does it pop when inflated with too much air?
In the lesson, you will learn the concept of
pressure and see how gas molecules interact
with the walls of its container.

4
What are the macroscopic
properties of gases?

5
 Macroscopic Properties of Gases

State of
Shape Volume Compressibility
Matter

Solid Fixed shape Fixed volume Virtually

incompressible

Liquid Depends on the Fixed volume Only slightly

compressible
container

Gas Depends on the Assumes the volume of Very compressible

container the container

6
 Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Temperature
● measure of the average kinetic energy of gas particles
● higher temperature = higher average kinetic energy of
gas particles

7
 Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Volume
● measure of the space occupied by the gas particles
● For gases, this depends on the volume of the
container.

8
How do we describe the
forces that gases apply upon
collision with their
container?

9
 Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Pressure
● defined as force applied per unit area
● SI unit is Pascals (Pa)
● For gases, this refers to the force applied by the gas
molecules per unit area of the container wall.
● Other units: atm, bar, Torr, mmHg

10
Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Unit Abbreviation 1 atmosphere

equivalent

atmosphere atm 1 atm

pascal Pa 101, 325 Pa

kilopascal kPa 101.325 kPa

11
Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Unit Abbreviation 1 atmosphere

equivalent

bar bar 1.01325 bar

millibar mbar 1, 013.25 mbar

12
 Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Unit Abbreviation 1 atmosphere

equivalent

millimeter of mmHg Approximately 760

mercury mmHg

torr torr 760 torr

13
 Macroscopic Properties of Gases

Pressure
measured using
manometers and
barometers.

A simple barometer
setup is shown
in the figure here.

14
Why is pressure called a
macroscopic property of
gas?

15
In converting units, you need to recall the
factor-label method or dimensional analysis.

In the factor-label method you need to

express the conversion factor as a fraction.
The given unit should be in the denominator
such that it cancels out the unit of the given.
16
Convert 2.5 atm to bar units.

17
Convert 2.5 atm to bar units.

2.50 atm of pressure is equivalent to 2.53 bar.

18
Convert 1.33 atm to bar.

19
Convert 10.00 atm of pressure to mmHg.

20
Convert 10.00 atm of pressure to mmHg.

A pressure of 10.00 atm is approximately 7.600 ✕ 104

mmHg.

21
Convert 3.00 atm to kPa.

22
Convert 450 torr to Pa.

23
Convert 450 torr to Pa.

Therefore, 450 torr of pressure is also equivalent to

6.00 ✕ 104 Pa.

24
Convert 3.00 kPa to bar.

25
Write true if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write
false.
1. A strong force applied to a large area will always result
in a higher pressure compared to a weak force on a
very small surface area.
2. Converting pressure units is not essential when solving
equations with gas constants.
3. Pressure includes the forces that gases apply when
colliding with each other in a container.
26
Fill out the empty cells with the proper conversion of
pressure units. Round off your answers to three
significant figures.

atm kPa bar torr

(1) 61.2 (2) 459

(3) (4) 54.2 (5)

27
● The macroscopic properties of gases are
temperature, volume and pressure.

○ Temperature is a measure of the average

kinetic energy of the gas particles.

28
● The macroscopic properties of gases are
temperature, volume and pressure.
○ Volume refers to the space occupied by the
gas molecules. The volume of a gas depends
on its container.
○ Pressure is the amount of force applied per
unit area.

29
● The pressure of gases is described as the force
that the gas molecules apply on a surface area of
the walls of its container.

● Pressure is used as a macroscopic property of

gas because it is impossible to measure the total
force of each gas molecule in a container for
practical purposes.
30
● The units of pressure applied depends on the
constants that you will be working with on
mathematical equations involving gases.

31
Is it possible to convert a unit of
pressure to another without
converting it first to atm?

32