UNIT G484 Module 3 4.3.

4 Ideal Gases 1

 Candidates should be able to : THE GAS LAWS

 State Boyle’s law. BOYLE’S LAW

 Select and apply : pV = constant This law, first discovered by Robert Boyle in 1662, relates the PRESSURE
T and VOLUME of a gas at CONSTANT TEMPERATURE and states that :

The PRESSURE (p) of a fixed mass of gas at

 State the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.
constant temperature is inversely proportional
to its VOLUME (V).
 State that 1 mole of any substance contains 6.02 x1023
particles and that 6.02 x1023 mol-1 is the Avogadro
Stated mathematically :
constant, NA.

 Select and solve problems using the Ideal gas equation p α 1/V
expressed as : OR
pV = constant
pV = nRT and pV = NkT

Where N is the number of atoms and n is the number of

moles.  This equation can be used to calculate pressure or volume changes
whenever a fixed mass of gas is either compressed into a smaller
volume (at higher pressure) or allowed to expand into a larger volume
 Explain that the mean translational kinetic energy of an atom (by reducing the pressure), providing the temperature remains the
of an ideal gas is directly proportional to the absolute gas same throughout the change.
temperature in Kelvin.

 So if (p1) and (V1) are the pressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas
 Select and apply the equation :
E = 3/2 kT at some initial stage and (p2) and (V2) are the values after expansion or
compression at constant temperature. Then :

For the mean translational kinetic energy of atoms.

p1V1 = p2V2

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 2

PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION OF BOYLE’S LAW

 A graphical representation of the relation between the pressure (p)

and the volume (V) of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature 0

is shown below. 5
air under pressure
volume scale 10
15
20
25
30
35 pressure
40 gauge
45

50

55

60
Pa
tap
65

70

to foot pump
oil reservoir

 The apparatus shown above may be used to investigate the relation

between the pressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant
 When p is plotted against V, a curve called a rectangular hyperbola temperature.
is obtained and when p is plotted against 1/V, the result is a straight-
line graph.  A long glass tube which is closed at one end and mounted against a
volume scale, contains the fixed mass of air under test. The pressure
By investigating a fixed mass of gas at different temperatures, a on the air column can be varied using a foot pump which forces oil from
series of graphs is obtained. Each of the curves or lines is called the reservoir up the tube and so compresses the air above it. The
an ISOTHERMAL (since the plotted values are all for the same pressure gauge measures the pressure in pascal and the volume of the
temperature). air column is read directly from the scale beneath the tube.

 Plotting pV against p  The pump is first used to compress the air to its smallest possible
Yields horizontal lines volume and the tap is closed. In order to ensure that the oil level has
for each different stabilised and that the air is at room temperature, the pressure (p) and
temperature as shown volume (V) readings are not taken for a couple of minutes.
in the diagram opposite. The apparatus is then slowly vented by opening the tap slightly and then
closing it again. Once again the corresponding pressure and volume
readings are taken after a short time has elapsed. This process is
repeated several times so as to obtain a set of corresponding p and V
values.

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 3

CHARLES’ LAW

This law relates the VOLUME (V) and the TEMPERATURE (T) of a gas at
RESULTS
CONSTANT PRESSURE and states that :

The VOLUME (V) of a fixed mass of gas at

PRESSURE,p/x 105 Pa VOLUME,V/cm3 1/V/cm-3 pV/Nm constant pressure is directly proportional
to its ASOLUTE (KELVIN) TEMPERATURE (T).

Stated mathematically : V α T
OR
V = constant
T

From which : V1 = V2
T1 T2

PRESSURE LAW

This law relates the PRESSURE (p) and the TEMPERATURE (T) of a gas at
CONSTANT VOLUME and states that :
CALCULATIONS AND ANALYSIS
The PRESSURE (p) of a fixed mass of gas at
constant volume is directly proportional to its
 Plot a graph of p against 1/V. Is it a best-fit straight line ? If so, ABSOLUTE (KELVIN) TEMPERATURE (T).
what does this tell you about the relationship between p and 1/V ?

Stated mathematically : p α T
OR
 Convert the volume readings to m3 by multiplying by 10-6 and then
calculate the product pV for each set of corresponding p and V values. p = constant
Is the product pV approximately constant throughout ? T

From which : p1 = p2
 Has Boyle’s law been verified by the results of the experiment ?
T1 T2

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 4

TERMS RELATING TO THE MICROSCOPIC MODEL OF GASES

ASSUMPTIONS OF THE KINETIC THEORY OF GASES
AVOGADRO’S HYPOTHESIS states that equal volumes of gases
at the same temperature and pressure contain equal numbers of
 When we talk about the large-scale properties of a gas, such as molecules.
MASS, VOLUME, TEMPERATURE and PRESSURE, we are dealing
with a MACROSCOPIC description of the gas.
The AVOGADRO CONSTANT or NUMBER (NA) is the number
of atoms in 12 g of carbon-12.

NA is the number of atoms per MOLE* of gas = 6.02 x 1023

 The MICROSCOPIC description
involves a gas model consisting
of a large number of identical
molecules in rapid, random motion,
* 1 MOLE is the amount of a substance that contains
colliding with each other and with
the walls of the containing 6.02 x 1023 particles (i.e. atoms or molecules).
vessel.
gas molecules containing
vessel
The MOLARITY (in mol) of a substance is the NUMBER OF
MOLES contained in a certain amount of the substance.

 The KINETIC THEORY OF GASES relates the MICROSCOPIC and

MACROSCOPIC properties of a gas and is governed by the following
basic assumptions : The MOLAR MASS (Mm) (in kg mol-1 or g mol-1) of a substance is
the MASS PER MOLE of the substance.
(e.g. Mm of oxygen gas = 0.032 kg mol-1 or 32 g mol-1).
 A gas consists of a large number of identical mol-
ecules in a state of rapid, random motion.

To calculate the NUMBER OF MOLES (n) in MASS(M) of gas of

 The collisions between molecules and the walls
MOLAR MASS (Mm) we use :
of the containing vessel are ELASTIC.

n = M/Mm
 Other than those which occur during collisions,
the forces between the molecules is zero.
To calculate the NUMBER OF MOLECULES (N) in n MOLES of gas
we use :
 The gravitational force on the molecules is
negligible. N = n NA = M NA
Mm
 Compared to the volume of the containing vessel,
the total volume of the molecules is negligible.

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 5

THE IDEAL GAS EQUATION  The ideal gas equation may also be expressed in terms of the
BOLTZMANN CONSTANT (k) which is the gas constant per
molecule (i.e. k = R/NA).
 An IDEAL GAS is one which obeys the GAS LAWS exactly and
for which is subject to the assumptions of the KINETIC THEORY k = 1.38 x 10-23 J kg-1
OF GASES.

 So for a ideal gas each of the following applies : Since k = R/NA, then R = kNA

 pV = constant (at constant temperature) Substituting for R in pV = nRT gives pV = n(kNA)T

 V/T = constant (at constant pressure)
 p/T = constant (at constant volume) But nNA = number of moles x number of molecules
of gas per mole

From which we have that : pV = constant = number of molecules in the gas (N)

(Pa) (m3) (K)

The magnitude of the constant depends on the mass of gas being
considered.
pV = NkT
For 1 MOLE of gas, the constant is the UNIVERSAL MOLAR GAS
CONSTANT (R) = 8.31 J mol-1 K-1.
(J kg-1)
So for 1 MOLE of gas : PV = R
T
So : pV = RT
 This form of the ideal gas equation is useful for problems set in
For n MOLES of gas : terms of molecules rather than moles of gas.

(Pa) (mol) (K)

pV = nRT

(m3) (J mol-1 K-1)

This is known as THE IDEAL GAS EQUATION.

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases  PRACTICE QUESTIONS (1) 6

1 (a) A fixed mass of gas has a volume of 3000 cm3 at a pressure of

THE COMBINED GAS EQUATION
1.0 x 105 Pa. Calculate its volume when the pressure is
increased to 2.5 x 106 Pa with the temperature remaining
 For (n) moles of a gas of volume (V1) at a pressure (p1) and
temperature (T1) : constant.

p1V1 = nR ………….(1) (b) A fixed mass of gas has a volume V when the temperature is
T1 127˚C. To what temperature must the gas be raised so that its
volume increases to 2.75 V with the pressure remaining
 For the same amount of gas (n moles) whose volume has changed constant ?
to (V2) at a new pressure (p2) and temperature (T2) :

(c) A fixed mass of gas has a volume of 0.02 m3 at a pressure of

p2V2 = nR …………..(2)
2.02 x 105 Pa and a temperature of 44˚C. Calculate the new
T2
volume of the gas at standard temperature and pressure (i.e. 0˚C
And 1.01 x 105 Pa).
From (1) and (2) we have that :

p1V1 = p2V2 2 A diver swims at a depth of 40 m where the temperature of the

T1 T2 water is 4.0 ˚C. He inhales 1.2 x 10-5 m3 of compressed air at a
pressure of 7.0 x 105 Pa and suddenly sees something that panics
him into rising to the surface very rapidly without exhaling.

This is called the COMBINED GAS EQUATION.

Calculate the new volume of the air which he inhaled at 40 m, if the
surface temperature and pressure is 20.0 ˚C and 1.01 x105 Pa
 It is particularly useful for solving problems in which volume, respectively.
pressure and temperature vary simultaneously.

 It does not matter what units are used for p and V, so long as
they are the same on both sides of the equation, but T MUST
3 (a) How many moles are there in 1.6 kg of oxygen if the molar mass
BE IN KELVINS (K). of this gas is 32 g mol-1 ?

(b) Calculate the volume occupied by 1 mole of an ideal gas at a

temperature of 0˚C and a pressure of 1.013 x105 Pa.

(The universal molar gas constant, R = 8.31 J mol-1 K-1).

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 7

4 The molar mass of nitrogen is 0.028 kg mol-1. A sample of the gas SPEED OF GAS MOLECULES
contains 6.02 x 1022 molecules.
(a) Calculate : The molecules in a gas have
a wide range of different Number of molecules
(i) The number of moles of gas contained in the sample.
speeds.
LOW T

(ii) The mass of the gas sample. This is illustrated In the HIGH T
graph shown opposite In which
(iii) The volume occupied by the gas at a pressure of NUMBER OF MOLECULES is
plotted against MOLECULAR
1.01 x 105 Pa and a temperature of 17˚C.
SPEED.
(The Avogadro number, NA = 6.02 x 1023 mol-1). 0 Molecular Speed

(b) A sample of a different gas contains 1.204 x 1025 molecules.

From the graph it can be
Calculate the volume occupied by this gas sample at a pressure seen that :
of 2.02 x 106 Pa and a temperature of 100˚C.
(The Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38 x 10-28 J kg-1).  Few molecules have either very low or very high speed
and none have zero speed (i.e. are stationary).

5 (a) Sketch a graph to show how the pressure of 2 moles of gas  The distribution of gas molecular speed depends on
varies with temperature when the gas is heated from 20˚C to temperature. As the gas temperature increases, the
100˚C in a sealed container of volume 0.050 m3. distribution curve becomes flatter and broader.

The higher the temperature, the greater is the proportion

(b) If the molar mass of the gas in (a) is 0.032 kg mol-1, calculate of high-speed molecules and the smaller is the proportion
the density of the gas. of low-speed molecules.

6 A vehicle air bag inflates rapidly when an impact causes the

production and release of a large quantity of nitrogen in a chemical The MEAN SPEED ( c ) is the average value
reaction. In a test of an air bag, the bag inflates to a volume of of the speeds of all the molecules.

1.2 m3 and a pressure of 103 kPa at a final temperature of 280 K.

Calculate : (a) The number of moles of gas in the bag.

(b) The initial pressure of the gas if it was released

from a container of volume 5.6 x 10-4 m3 at the
same temperature.
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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 8

MOLECULAR KINETIC ENERGY AND TEMPERATURE ½mc2 = 3 R T ………………. (3)

2 NA
Since the mean speed ( c ) of the molecules in a gas increases with
temperature, the mean translational kinetic energy of the molecules
 R is the gas constant per mole of gas molecules.
must also increase with temperature.

 R/NA = The gas constant per molecule. = k

The derivation which follows will establish that :

The mean translational kinetic energy of a molecule of an ideal gas BOLTZMANN CONSTANT
is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas.

The equation of state for (n) moles of an ideal gas of volume (V) E = 3/2 kT
at a pressure (p) and an absolute temperature (T) is :

pV = nRT …………………… (1) (J) (J kg-1) (K)

Using kinetic theory of gases, if the gas is made up of (N) molecules

each of mass (m) and moving with a mean speed ( c ) :
The mean translational kinetic energy (E) of a
2
pV = ¹⁄з Nmc …………. (2) molecule of an ideal gas is directly proportional
to the absolute temperature (T) of the gas.
Combining (1) and (2) gives :

NOTE
¹⁄з Nmc2 = nRT
 From equation (3) : c2 α T
Which may be expressed as :
i.e. The mean-square speed of a gas molecule is
directly proportional to the absolute temperature.
²⁄з N(½mc2) = nRT
 Since the internal energy of an ideal gas is regarded
Therefore : ½mc2 = 3 n RT = 3 R T as being purely kinetic :
2N 2 N/n
The sum of the mean kinetic energies of all the
But N/n = The number of gas molecules per mole = NA. molecules in a gas is the internal energy of the gas.

AVOGADRO NUMBER

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UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases (c) The total kinetic energy (i.e. the internal energy) 9
of the gas contained in the cylinder.
 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (2)
 Molar mass of nitrogen Mm = 0.028 kg mol-1.
-1
1 Given that the molar mass of nitrogen is 0.028 kg mol and that  Molar gas constant, R = 8.31 J mol-1 K-1.
the Avogadro number (NA) is 6.02 x 1023 mol-1, calculate :  Avogadro constant, NA = 6.02 x 1023 mol-1

(a) The mass of a molecule of nitrogen.

 HOMEWORK QUESTIONS
(b) The kinetic energy of a nitrogen molecule which is
moving with a speed of 1500 m s-1. 1 (a) State Boyle’s law : (i) As a written statement.

(ii) Expressed as a mathematical equation.

2 The mean translational kinetic energy of an oxygen molecule at
20˚C is found to be 7.5 x 10-21 J. Calculate : (iii) Expressed in the form of a graph
relating the quantities involved.
(a) The mean speed of an oxygen molecule.
(b) State the main assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.
(b) The internal energy of 2.5 moles of oxygen gas at 20˚C.
(c) (i) Explain what is meant by an ideal gas.
(c) The mean translational kinetic energy of an oxygen
molecule at a temperature of 200˚C. (ii) Write down the ideal gas equation for (n) moles of gas and
state what each quantity in the equation is as well as giving
 Molar mass of oxygen = 0.032 kg mol-1. its unit.
 Avogadro number, NA = 6.02 x 1023 mol-1
(d) (i) Define the mole. How is the mole related to the Avogadro
constant (NA) ?
3 A cylinder of volume 0.25 m3 contains nitrogen gas at a pressure
of 1.5 x 105 Pa and a temperature of 17˚C. Assuming that the gas (ii) What is the molar mass of a substance ?
behaves ideally, calculate :
(iii) How many moles are there in (M) kg of a substance of
(a) The number of moles of gas in the cylinder. molar mass (Mm) kg mol-1?

(b) The mean translational kinetic energy of a nitrogen (e) How is the mean translational kinetic energy of a molecule of an
molecule. ideal gas related to the gas temperature. Give a written
statement and a relevant equation for this.
FXA © 2008
UNIT G484 Module 2 4.3.4 Ideal Gases 3 (a) Explain what is meant by the internal energy of a gas. 10

2 (a) The equation of state of an ideal gas is pV = nRT. Explain why (b) A bicycle tyre has a volume of 2.1 x 10-3 m3. On a day when the
the temperature must be measured in Kelvin. temperature is 15˚C the pressure of the air in the tyre is
280 kPa. Assume that the air behaves as an ideal gas.
(b) A meteorological balloon rises through the atmosphere until it (i) Calculate the number of moles (n) of air in the tyre.
expands to a volume of 1.0 x 106 m3, where the pressure is
1.0 x 103 Pa. The temperature also falls from 17˚C to –43˚C. (ii) The bicycle is ridden vigorously so that the tyres warm up.
The pressure in the tyre rises to 290 kPa. Calculate the
 The pressure of the atmosphere at the Earth’s new temperature of the air in the tyre. Assume that no air
surface = 1.0 x 105 Pa. has leaked from the tyre and that the volume is constant.
Show that the volume of the balloon at take off is about
1.3 x 104 m3. (iii) Calculate, for the air in the tyre, the ratio :
Internal energy at the higher temperature
(c) The balloon is filled with helium gas of molar mass Internal energy at 15˚C
4.0 x 10-3 kg mol-1 at 17˚C at a pressure of 1.0 x 105 Pa. (OCR A2 Physics - Module 2824 - January 2007)
Calculate : (i) The number of moles of gas in the balloon.
(ii) The mass of gas in the balloon. 4 A light bulb contains 6.0 x 10-5 m3 of the inert gas, argon. The gas
pressure in the bulb is 16 kPa when the bulb is unlit and the gas
(d) The internal energy of the helium gas is equal to the random temperature is 20˚C. The molar mass of argon is 0.040 kg mol-1 and
kinetic energy of all of its molecules. When the balloon is filled the molar gas constant R is 8.31 J mol-1 K-1.
at ground level at a temperature of 17˚C the internal energy is (a) (i) Calculate the number of moles of argon gas in the bulb.
1900 MJ. Estimate the internal energy of the helium when the
balloon has risen to a height where the temperature is –43˚C. (ii) Calculate the number of argon atoms in the bulb. Argon
consists of single atoms that do not combine with each other.
(e) The upward force on the balloon at
the Earth’s surface is 1.3 x105 N. (iii) Calculate the mean speed of an argon atom if its kinetic
The initial acceleration of the balloon energy at 20˚C is 5.5 x 10-21 J.
is 27 m s-2 and its total mass is M.
(b) The temperature of the gas in the bulb increases to a maximum
(i) On the diagram opposite draw of 120˚C once it has been lit for some time. Calculate :
and label arrows to represent
the forces acting on the balloon (i) The gas pressure at this new temperature.
immediately after take off.
(ii) The new mean translational kinetic energy of an argon atom
(ii) Calculate the value of M. at this temperature.
(OCR A2 Physics - Module 2824 - June 2005)
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