Ideal gas equation
- The equation of state for an ideal gas (or the ideal gas equation) can be expressed as:
- Where:
- p = pressure (Pa)
- V = volume (m3)
- n = amount of substance / number of moles (mol)
- R = molar gas constant (8.31 J K-1 mol-1)
- T = temperature (K)
- The ideal gas equation can also be written in the form:
- Where:
- N = number of molecules
- k = Boltzmann constant (1.38 × 10-23 J K–1)
- Remember that the number of moles and the number of molecules are related by Avogadro's constant
- An ideal gas is therefore defined as:
A gas which obeys the equation of state pV = nRT at all pressures, volumes and temperatures
Worked example
A storage cylinder of an ideal gas has a volume of 8.3 × 103 cm3. The gas is at a temperature of 15oC and a pressure of 4.5 × 107 Pa.
Calculate the amount of gas in the cylinder, in moles.
Answer:
Step 1: Write down the ideal gas equation
- Since the number of moles (n) is required, use the equation:
Step 2: Rearrange for the number of moles n
Step 3: Substitute in values
Examiner Tip
Don’t worry about remembering the values of R and k, they will both be given in the equation sheet in your exam.