Gases and the

Atmosphere
The Atmosphere

 mixture of gases surrounding the Earth

 vast number of reactions both desirable and
undesirable happens mostly driven by energy
from solar photons
 has a total mass (atmosphere) of 5.3 X 10 15
metric tons
Composition of Dry Air at Sea Level
 Properties of Gases

Gases can be
compressed
 Properties of Gases

Gases exert pressure

on whatever surrounds
them
 Properties of Gases

Gases expand into

whatever volume is
available
 Properties of Gases

Gases mix completely

with one another
 Properties of Gases

Gases are described in

terms of their
temperature and
pressure
 Kinetic Molecular Theory

A gas is composed of Gas molecules move

molecules whose size randomly at various
is much smaller than speeds and in every
possible direction.
the distances between
them.
 Kinetic Molecular Theory

Except when gas When collisions between

molecules collide, molecules occur, the
forces of attraction collision are elastic.
and repulsion between
them are negligible.
 Kinetic Molecular Theory

The average kinetic

energy of gas
molecules is
proportional to the
absolute temperature.
The Behavior of Ideal Gases
Graphical Illustration of Boyle’s Law
 Sample Problems on Boyle’s Law

A gas sample occupies a volume A gas occupies a volume of 458 mL

of 100 mL at a pressure of 0.4
atm. What volume will the gas
occupy if pressure is increased
to 1.5 atm? Assume temperature
is kept constant.
at a pressure of 1.10kPa and a
temperature of 295 K. When the
pressure is changed, the volume
becomes 471 mL. If there has been
no change in the temperature, what is
the new pressure?
Applications of Boyle’s Law
Applications of Boyle’s Law