GASES

• Gases are one of the most pervasive

aspects of our environment on the
Earth. We continually exist with
constant exposure to gases of all
forms.
• The steam formed in the air during a
hot shower is a gas.
• The Helium used to fill a birthday
balloon is a gas.
• The oxygen in the air is an essential
gas for life.
 Important Characteristics of Gases
1) Gases are highly compressible
An external force compresses the gas sample and decreases its
volume, removing the external force allows the gas volume to
increase.
2) Gases are thermally expandable
When a gas sample is heated, its volume increases, and when it is
cooled its volume decreases.
3) Gases have high viscosity
Gases flow much easier than liquids or solids.
4) Most Gases have low densities
Gas densities are on the order of grams per liter whereas liquids
and solids are grams per cubic cm, 1000 times greater.
5) Gases are infinitely miscible
Gases mix in any proportion such as in air, a mixture of many gases.
Substances That Are Gases under
Normal Conditions
Substance Formula MM(g/mol)
• Helium He 4.0
• Neon Ne 20.2
• Argon Ar 39.9
• Hydrogen H2 2.0
• Nitrogen N2 28.0
• Nitrogen Monoxide NO 30.0
• Oxygen O2 32.0
• Hydrogen Chloride HCl 36.5
• Ozone O3 48.0
• Ammonia NH3 17.0
• Methane CH 16.0
 Kinetic Molecular Theory
• To fully understand the world around us
requires that we have a good understanding
of the behavior of gases. The description of
gases and their behavior can be approached
from several perspectives.
• The Gas Laws are a mathematical
interpretation of the behavior of gases.
• However, before understanding the
mathematics of gases, a chemist must have
an understanding of the conceptual
description of gases. That is the purpose of
the Kinetic Molecular Theory.
  Kinetic Molecular Theory
• The Kinetic Molecular Theory is a single set of
descriptive characteristics of a substance known as
the Ideal Gas.
• All real gases require their own unique sets of
descriptive characteristics. Considering the large
number of known gases in the World, the task of
trying to describe each one of them individually
would be an awesome task.
• In order to simplify this task, the scientific
community has decided to create an imaginary gas
that approximates the behavior of all real gases. In
other words, the Ideal Gas is a substance that does
not exist.
• The Kinetic Molecular Theory describes that gas.
While the use of the Ideal Gas in describing all real
gases means that the descriptions of all real gases
will be wrong, the reality is that the descriptions of
real gases will be close enough to correct that any
errors can be overlooked.
 The Nature of Gases
Three basic assumptions of the kinetic
theory as it applies to gases:
1. Gas is composed of particles- usually
molecules or atoms
– Small, hard spheres
– Insignificant volume; relatively far
apart from each other
– No attraction or repulsion between
particles
 The Nature of Gases
2. Particles in a gas move rapidly in
constant random motion
– Move in straight paths, changing
direction only when colliding with one
another or other objects
– Average speed of O2 in air at 20 oC is
an amazing 1660 km/h!
(1.6km=1mile)
 The Nature of Gases
3. Collisions are perfectly elastic-
meaning kinetic energy is transferred
without loss from one particle to
another- the total kinetic energy remains
constant
Newtonian Cradle-
Where the collisions between the balls elastic?
Yes, because kinetic energy was transferred
with each collision
• Why did the balls eventually stop
swinging? The collisions were not
perfectly elastic, some kinetic energy
was lost as heat during each collision.
• At constant temperatures and low to
moderate pressures, collisions between
gas particles are perfectly elastic
 THE KINETIC THEORY OF GASES
Remember the assumptions

• Gas consists of large number of particles

(atoms or molecules)
• Particles make elastic collisions with each
other and with walls of container
• There exist no external forces (density
constant)
• Particles, on average, separated by distances
large compared to their diameters
• No forces between particles except when
they collide
How does the bouncing ball lose
energy?
• Through friction with the air (air
resistance)
• Through sound when it hits the floor
• Through deformation of the ball
• Through heat energy in the bounce
 IDEAL GAS MODEL
• The gas consists of objects with a defined mass an
d zero volume.
• The gas particles travel randomly in straight-line m
otion where their movement can be described by t
he fundamental laws of mechanics.
• All collisions involving gas particles are elastic; th
e kinetic energy of the system is conserved even t
hough the kinetic energy among the particles is re
distributed.
• The gas particles do not interact with each other or
the with the walls of any container.
• The gas phase system will have an average kinetic
energy that is proportional to temperature; the kine
tic energy will be distributed among the particles a
ccording to a Boltzmann type of distribution.
Boltzman Distribution. The behaviour of
the gas molecules under the action of
gravity.
 Ideal Gas Model
  (KMT) for an ideal
Kinetic Molecular Theory
gas states that all gas particles:
• are in random, constant, straight-line motion.
• are separated by great distances relative to
their size; the volume of the gas particles is
considered negligible.
• have no attractive forces between them.
• have collisions that may result in the transfer
of energy between gas particles, but the total
energy of the system remains constant.
Brownian motion. Chaotic motion of
minute particle suspended in a gas or
liquid
This animation illustrates the concept of
free path length of molecules in a gas.
 Ideal vs. Non-Ideal Gases

x x

• Kinetic Theory Assumptions

– Point Mass
– No Forces Between Molecules
– Molecules Exert Pressure Via Elastic
Collisions With Walls

(courtesy F. Remer)
 Ideal vs. Non-Ideal Gases

• Non-Ideal Gas
– Violates Assumptions
• Volume of molecules
• Attractive forces of molecules

(courtesy F. Remer)
Deviations from ideal behaviour
• A real gas is most like an ideal gas when the
real gas is at low pressure and high
temperature.
• At high pressures gas particles are close
therefore the volume of the gas particles is
considered.
• At low temperatures gas particles have low
kinetic energy therefore particles have some
attractive force
• Example
• Dry ice, liquid oxygen and nitrogen
 Ideal Gases

 Behave as described by the ideal gas

equation; no real gas is actually ideal
 Within a few %, ideal gas equation describes
most real gases at room temperature and
pressures of 1 atm or less
 In real gases, particles attract each other
reducing the pressure
 Real gases behave more like ideal gases as
pressure approaches zero.
 The Gas Laws
• What would Polly
Parcel look like if she
had no gas molecules
inside?

zero molecules = zero pressure inside

zero pressure inside = zero force on the

inside
 Gas Law Variables
•  In order to describe gases, mathematically, it
is essential to be familiar with the variables
that are used. There are four commonly
accepted gas law variables

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Volume
• Moles
 Gas Laws
• (1) When temperature is held constant, the density of a
gas is proportional to pressure, and volume is inversely
proportional to pressure. Accordingly, an increase in
pressure will cause an increase in density of the gas and
a decrease in its volume. – Boyles’s Law

• (2) If volume is kept constant, the pressure of a unit

mass of gas is proportional to temperature. If
temperature increase so will pressure, assuming no
change in the volume of the gas.

• (3) Holding pressure constant, causes the temperature of

a gas to be proportional to volume, and inversely
proportional to density. Thus, increasing temperature of
a unit mass of gas causes its volume to expand and its
density to decrease as long as there is no change in
pressure. - Charles’s Law
 Boyle’s Law

• Hyperbolic Relation Between Pressure and

Volume
T1 T T T3 >T2>T1
2 3

isotherms
p

p – V Diagram
(courtesy F. Remer)
 Charles’ Law

• Linear Relation Between Temperature and

Pressure

V1 <V2 <V3
V1 isochors
P V2
V3

0 100 200 300

T (K)
P – T Diagram (courtesy F. Remer)
Charles’ Law

Real data must be

obtained above
liquefaction
temperature.
Experimental curves for
different gasses,
different masses,
different pressures all
extrapolate to a
common zero.
 Ideal Gas Law

The equality for the four variables involved

in Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law, Gay-Lussac’s
Law and Avogadro’s law can be written

PV = nRT

R = ideal gas constant

 PV = nRT

R is known as the universal gas constant

Using STP conditions

P V
R = PV = (1.00 atm)(22.4 L)
nT (1mol) (273K)
n T
= 0.0821 L-atm
mol-K
 Learning Check

What is the value of R when the STP value

for P is 760 mmHg?
 Solution

What is the value of R when the STP value

for P is 760 mmHg?

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

nT (1mol) (273K)

= 62.4 L-mm Hg
mol-K
 Learning Check

Dinitrogen monoxide (N2O), laughing gas,

is used by dentists as an anesthetic. If 2.86
mol of gas occupies a 20.0 L tank at 23°C,
what is the pressure (mmHg) in the tank in
the dentist office?
 Solution

Set up data for 3 of the 4 gas variables

Adjust 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 = ? ?
Rearrange ideal gas law for unknown P

P = nRT
V
Substitute values of n, R, T and V and
solve for P

P = (2.86 mol)(62.4L-mmHg)(296 K)
(20.0 L) (K-mol)

= 2.64 x 103 mm Hg
 Learning Check

A 5.0 L cylinder contains oxygen gas

at 20.0°C and 735 mm Hg. How many
grams of oxygen are in the cylinder?
 Solution
Solve ideal gas equation for n (moles)
n = PV
RT

= (735 mmHg)(5.0 L)(mol K)

(62.4 mmHg L)(293 K)

= 0. 20 mol O2 x 32.0 g O2 = 6.4 g O2

1 mol O2
 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?

n = PV = (0.813 atm) (0.215 L) = 0.00703 mol

RT (0.0821 L-atm/molK) (303K)

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

mol 0.00703 mol
 Density of a Gas

Calculate the density in g/L of O2 gas at STP.

From STP, we know the P and T.

P = 1.00 atm T = 273 K

Rearrange the ideal gas equation for moles/L

PV = nRT PV = nRT P = n
RTV RTV RT V
Substitute
(1.00 atm ) mol-K = 0.0446 mol O2/L
(0.0821 L-atm) (273 K)

Change moles/L to g/L

0.0446 mol O2 x 32.0 g O2 = 1.43 g/L
1L 1 mol O2

Therefore the density of O2 gas at STP is

1.43 grams per liter
 Formulas of Gases

A gas has a % composition by mass of

85.7% carbon and 14.3% hydrogen. At
STP the density of the gas is 2.50 g/L.
What is the molecular formula of the
gas?
 Formulas of Gases
Calculate Empirical formula

85.7 g C x 1 mol C = 7.14 mol C/7.14 = 1 C

12.0 g C

14.3 g H x 1 mol H = 14.3 mol H/ 7.14 = 2 H

1.0 g H

Empirical formula = CH2

EF mass = 12.0 + 2(1.0) = 14.0 g/EF
Using STP and density ( 1 L = 2.50 g)

2.50 g x 22.4 L = 56.0 g/mol

1L 1 mol

n = EF/ mol = 56.0 g/mol = 4

14.0 g/EF

molecular formula
CH2 x 4 = C4 H8
 Gases in Chemical Equations
On December 1, 1783, Charles used 1.00 x 103
lb of iron filings to make the first ascent in a
balloon filled with hydrogen
Fe(s) + H2SO4(aq)  FeSO4(aq) + H2(g)
At STP, how many liters of hydrogen
gas were generated?
 Solution

lb Fe  g Fe  mol Fe  mol H2  L H2

1.00 x 103 lb x 453.6 g x 1 mol Fe x 1 mol H2

1 lb 55.9 g 1 mol Fe
x 22.4 L H2 = 1.82 x 105 L H2
1 mol H2

Charles generated 182,000 L of hydrogen to fill his

air balloon.
 Learning Check

How many L of O2 are need to react 28.0 g

NH3 at 24°C and 0.950 atm?

4 NH3(g) + 5 O2(g) 4 NO(g) + 6 H2O(g)

 Solution

Find mole of O2
28.0 g NH3 x 1 mol NH3 x 5 mol O2
17.0 g NH3 4 mol NH3

= 2.06 mol O2

V = nRT = (2.06 mol)(0.0821)(297K) = 52.9 L

P 0.950 atm
Mixture of gases
Reacting mixture of gases
 Learning Check

A.If the atmospheric pressure today is 745

mm Hg, what is the partial pressure (mm
Hg) of O2 in the air?
1) 35.6 2) 156 3) 760

B. At an atmospheric pressure of 714, what is

the partial pressure (mm Hg) N2 in the air?
1) 557 2) 9.14 3) 0.109
 Solution

A.If the atmospheric pressure today is 745

mm Hg, what is the partial pressure (mm
Hg) of O2 in the air?
2) 156

B. At an atmospheric pressure of 714, what is

the partial pressure (mm Hg) N2 in the air?
1) 557
 Partial Pressure

Partial Pressure
Pressure each gas in a mixture would exert
if it were the only gas in the container

Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures

The total pressure exerted by a gas mixture
is the sum of the partial pressures of the
gases in that mixture.
PT = P1 + P2 + P3 + .....
 Partial Pressures

The total pressure of a gas mixture depends

on the total number of gas particles, not on
the types of particles.
STP
P = 1.00 atm P = 1.00 atm

0.50 mol O2
1.0 mol He + 0.20 mol He
+ 0.30 mol N2
 Health Note

When a scuba diver is several hundred feet

under water, the high pressures cause N2 from
the tank air to dissolve in the blood. If the
diver rises too fast, the dissolved N2 will form
bubbles in the blood, a dangerous and painful
condition called "the bends". Helium, which is
inert, less dense, and does not dissolve in the
blood, is mixed with O2 in scuba tanks used for
deep descents.
 Learning Check

A 5.00 L scuba tank contains 1.05 mole of

O2 and 0.418 mole He at 25°C. What is
the partial pressure of each gas, and what
is the total pressure in the tank?
 Solution G20

P = nRT PT = PO + PHe
V 2

PT = 1.47 mol x 0.0821 L-atm x 298 K

5.00 L (K mol)
= 7.19 atm