Unit B - Activity 9 – Notes

The ideal gas laws

In any gas, the pressure P, volume V and the temperature T are all related to one
another.

Relationship between pressure and volume of a gas

For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature the pressure P of the gas is inversely
proportional to the volume V. This relationship is sometimes known as Boyle’s law.

1
P µ so PV = constant or P1V1 = P2V2
V

Relationship between pressure and temperature of a gas

If a graph is drawn of pressure against temperature (in °C) for a fixed mass of gas at a
constant volume, the graph is a straight line, which does not pass through the origin.
When the graph is extended until the
pressure reaches zero, it crosses the
temperature axis at -273 °C. This P
is true for all gases. This is known
as absolute zero (0 K). Absolute zero
is the lowest theoretical temperature
possible. At this point the movement
of particles is so small that it cannot
transfer energy. -273 T (°C)

If the graph of pressure against temperature is drawn using the Kelvin temperature
scale, zero on the graph is the zero on the Kelvin temperature scale and the graph now
goes through the origin.

0 T (K)

For a fixed mass of gas at a constant volume, the pressure of a gas is directly
proportional to its temperature measured in Kelvin (K).

P P1 P2
P µ T (K) so = constant or =
T T1 T2

Relationship between volume and temperature of a gas

For a fixed mass of gas at a constant pressure, the volume of a gas is directly
proportional to its temperature measured in Kelvin (K).

V V1 V2
V µ T (K) so = constant or =
T T1 T2
Combined gas equation
By combining the previous three relationships, the following relationship for the
pressure, volume and temperature of a fixed mass of gas is true for all gases.

PV P1V1 P2V2
= cons tan t or =
T T1 T2

The ideal gas equation

If the effect of the mass of a gas is incorporated, it can be shown that, at constant
temperature and pressure, the volume V of an enclosed gas increases in direct
proportion to the mass m of gas present.

PV µ mT PV = constant Î mT

This constant has a different value for different gases unless, instead of using the mass
m, the number of moles, n is used.

Now we can write that, PV = nRT

where n represents the number of moles and R is the universal gas constant.
For all gases, R = 8.31 J K-1 mol-1.

This can expressed in a different way by substituting the amount of substance n in the
equation:

N so PV = NkBT where R
PV = nRT = RT kB =
NA NA

Example 1
Hydrogen in a sealed container at 27 °C has a pressure of 1.8 Î 105 Pa. If it is heated
to a temperature of 77 °C, calculate its new pressure.

P1 P 1.8 ´ 10 5 P
P1 = 1.8 x 105 Pa = 2 = 2
T1 T2 300 350
T1 = 27 °C = 300 K
P2 = ? 300 P2 = 350 Î 1.8 Î 105
T2 = 77 °C = 350 K
P2 = 2.1 Î 105 Pa

Example 2
A cylinder of volume 2.00 Î 10-3 m3 contains a gas at a pressure of 1.50 MPa and at a
temperature of 300 K. Calculate the number of moles of the gas.

PV 1.50 ´ 10 6 ´ 2.00 ´ 10 -3
V = 2.00 Î 10-3 m3 n= =
RT 8.31 ´ 300
T = 300 K
P = 1.50 Î 106 Pa n = 1.20 mol
R = 8.31 J K-1 mol-1
Differences between real and ideal gases
An ideal gas is one that obeys the equation of state for all values of pressure, volume
and temperature. For an ideal gas,

• The forces of attraction between molecules are considered to be negligible.

• The volume of the molecules is considered to be negligible compared to the
volume occupied by the gas.
• It cannot be liquefied.
In reality ideal gases do not exist however a real gas can approximate an ideal gas,
especially at low pressure or temperatures much lower than the boiling point of the gas.
At pressures of 1 atmosphere (atm) or less, and when the temperature is not close to
the boiling point of the gas, the equation of state is quite accurate. However, at high
pressures and densities the real gases will not behave like ideal gases as forces will be
significant when the molecules are closer together and the size of the molecules is
significant compared to their separation.

When using the ideal gas law, standard temperature and pressure (STP) are often
referred to. This means T = 273 K (0 °C) and P = 1 atm (101 kPa).

Internal energy
The total internal energy depends on the number of particles N. Since the total internal
energy is the total kinetic energy, the internal energy of a gas U is defined as:

!k
U = NE

Since:
EK = 32 kBT
then,

3
U= Nk T
2 B

Since NkB = nR then the relation to the amount of substance n is:

3
U= nRT
2

Example
Calculate the internal energy of an ideal gas with 1.93 x 1024 molecules at a temperature
of 127 °C.

N = 1.93 x 1024, T = 127 + 273 = 400 K, U = ?

3
U = 2 NkB T

3 24 -23
U= × 1.93 × 10 × 1.38 × 10 × 400
2

U = 1.60 x 104 J
Example
600 J of thermal energy is transferred to 0.75 mol of helium gas kept at a constant
volume in a cylinder. Calculate the temperature of the gas.

U = 600 J, n = 0.75 mol, T = ?

3
U= nRT
2

2U 2 × 600
T= =
3nR 3 × 0.75 × 8.31

T = 64 K