C H A P T E R

Measuring gases
C H A P T E R
Measuring gases
19
Key Knowledge
Kinetic molecular theory and its use in explaining properties of gases
calculations including those involving gas laws, molar volume (V
m
) at STP and SLC, the General Gas Equation,
volumevolume and massvolume stoichiometry
Chaotic gases
The word gas comes from the Greek word chaos, meaning space and disorder (chaos).
Although gases are perhaps at their most spectacular in explosions and tornadoes,
when their energy is spent in a very visible kind of chaotic fury, their everyday
behaviour is also chaotic. The kinetic molecular theory proposes that this is because
most air molecules move at enormous speeds, continually colliding with one another
and with objects in their path, changing direction and speed after each collision.
After spending years conducting experiments and accumulating data on gas
behaviour, 18th-century chemists such as Robert Boyle and Jacques Charles
determined that, despite this chaos, there were mathematical relationships linking
the volumes occupied by gases with their mass, temperature and pressure. These
relationships, which were crucial to the development of the kinetic theory, allowed
scientists to predict, for example, what the volume of a hot-air balloon would be,
given the temperature and pressure, what the drop in pressure would be if the
gas from the balloon were to diffuse into a larger space, and even the value of
the lowest possible temperature that the balloon and its contents can reach. The
relationships became known as the gas laws. The kinetic molecular theory of gases
and the gas laws and their applications, including stoichiometry, are the subject of
this chapter.
Figure 19.1 The physical properties
of gases make hot-air ballooning
possible. The push exerted by the
gas molecules in the surrounding
air allows the balloon to drift on the
prevailing air currents. As the burners
are fired, the gas inside the balloon
expands because its particles are
moving faster and hit the walls of the
balloon more frequently. This makes
the gas trapped within the balloon less
dense than the surrounding air, and so
the balloon rises, to drift again.
436 Unit 2
437
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
437
The kinetic theory of gases
Kinetics refers to the study of movement (from the Greek kinetikos, meaning
moving). The kinetic molecular theory of gases proposes that gas particles
not only rotate and vibrate, but also move past one another in all directions
in straight lines, colliding frequently with one another and the walls of the
container. They only change direction as a result of a collision. When particles
do collide, if one slows down, the other speeds up; there is no net loss of
energy or their capacity to move about. These are said to be elastic collisions.
The theory also proposes that the distance between gas particles is
very large compared to the size of the particles. Despite this, they collide
frequently because their mean speed is so much greater than that of the
liquid and solid forms of the same substance. In just 1 mL of helium gas
at 0 C and atmospheric pressure, for example, it has been estimated that
there are about 10
29
collisions every second!
The origin of the kinetic molecular theory
The kinetic molecular theory evolved to explain Brownian motion. An example
of Brownian motion is the rapid jerky movements of dust particles in the air that
sometimes can be seen when a narrow light beam passes through a darkened room.
This type of motion was first noticed by the English botanist Robert Brown in 1827,
when he examined pollen under a microscope and observed the movement of pollen
grains on the surface of water. He concluded that the pollen was being constantly
bombarded by tiny invisible particles, which he assumed were particles of water.
Effect of temperature changes
The kinetic theory states that the greater the temperature, the more rapid the movement
of gas particles. Although gas particles have a range of speeds at any given temperature,
the hotter the gas, the greater is the mean speed of the gas particles (Figure 19.3).
chemBYTE
Fast gases!
For us to smell anything, particles must
enter our nasal cavities. Although their
speeds vary, the particles of a gas move
at about the speed of sound in air, which
is about 1200 km/h at 20 C. Their
speed is even greater if they are hotter!
No wonder that when someone starts
cooking sh and chips we can smell
the vaporised oil and avour molecules
almost instantly!
melting
freezing
LIQUID GAS SOLID
evaporation
sublimation
condensation
increasing temperature
Particles rotate and vibrate
in fixed positions.
Particles have rotational
vibration and some
restricted translational
motion.
Particles move rapidly in
straight lines; they also
have vibrational and
translational motion.
Figure 19.2 Motion in a gas
compared with the liquid and solid
forms of the same substance
438 Unit 2
In the late 19th century, James
Maxwell, a Scot, and Ludwig
Boltzmann, an Austrian, used
experimental measurements to
deduce frequency distribution
graphs, which are similar for
liquids and gases. These are
known as MaxwellBoltzmann
curves.
It is important to note in Figure 19.3 that the areas under the two curves are the
same, since these represent the total number of particles in the sample. The mode is
the most common speed, and corresponds to the highest point of each graph. The
mean speed of the particles, which depends on the temperature of the gas, is slightly
higher than the mode. Notice that only a small fraction of the particles possesses very
low or very high speeds at either temperature and that the range of speeds increases
with increased temperature.
This implies that there is a limit to how low the temperature can be. At the
theoretical lowest temperature possible, known as absolute zero (about 273 C), all
relative movement of atoms would cease. (Absolute zero and the absolute temperature
scale are studied later.)
It should be pointed out that the mean speed of a gas depends not only on its
temperature but also on the particular gas. The heavier the gas molecules are, the
lower is their mean speed. This is because the kinetic molecular theory states that
the mean kinetic energy of the particles is directly proportional to their absolute
temperature (page 444).
The kinetic energy of a particle E is related to its velocity v and mass m by the
relationship:
E
1

__

2
mv
2
Hence we can see that for two particles with the same kinetic energy, the greater
m is, the lower v must be.
Kinetic molecular theory
Click on the link to kinetic molecular theory and watch the simulation of Brownian motion. Assume
that the larger particle is a dust particle in air and the smaller particles are gas molecules. Press to
make the particles speed up. According to the kinetic molecular theory, this would happen if you were
to increase the temperature of the sample. Press to slow the particles down. This would occur if
you were to decrease the temperature of the sample. What causes the larger particle to move in such a
random fashion? What are the limitations of this model if it represents gas particles and if it represents
liquid particles?
Lower temperature Higher temperature
Number of particles
with a given speed
Number of particles
with a given speed
mode mean speed mode mean speed
Speed of particles Speed of particles
Figure 19.3 MaxwellBoltzmann curves for
a gas at two different temperatures. These
graphs were deduced from experimental
measurements.
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
439
Forces between particles
The kinetic molecular theory proposes that no forces exist between particles. As you
know, this is not correct for solids and liquids, otherwise their particles would not
stick together. While it is true that the forces between gas particles are negligible when
they are not close together, it cannot be claimed that they do not exist at all!
Explaining the properties of gases
The kinetic molecular theory of gases explains many properties of gases:
Because gas particles move rapidly and have a significant space between them
except when they collide, they flow rapidly into any available space and rapidly
mix with one another. The flowing of a gas into a space is termed diffusion.
Because gas particles have a significant space between them, they are much less
dense than their liquid or solid form, and can be compressed.
As there are no forces between gas particles, they move independently and do not
form a boundary surface. The volume occupied by a gas is only determined by the
volume of its container.
Because gas particles collide frequently at high speed with the surface of any object
in their path, they give it a push; hence, gases exert pressure on their container or
on any object placed in their path.
However, the kinetic molecular theory does not explain why:
the different layers of the atmosphere do not mix completely
the gases of the atmosphere have not all been lost by diffusion into space
gases liquefy when the temperature is decreased sufficiently or when they are
placed under high pressure.
Ideal gases and real gases
We will describe an ideal gas as a gas in which no forces operate between the
particles. Such a gas doesnt exist, but the simplification gives us useful insights into
Exert
pressure
on
container
Rapidly
diffuse
and mix
No
boundary
surface
Volume
occupied
depends on
container
Move rapidly
in straight lines,
colliding frequently
with one another
and any container
Much less
dense than
solid or
liquid
Compressible
Significant
space
between
particles
No forces
between
particles
Gas particles
Figure 19.4 The kinetic molecular
theory of gasesa schematic diagram
QUESTIONS 19. 1
1 Create a model to show the kinetic molecular theory of the movement and relative positions of particles in solids, liquids and gases.
Identify at least three limitations of your model.
2 Use the kinetic molecular theory to explain why:
a Gases and liquids can flow but solids cannot.
b Gases are compressible but solids and liquids are not.
c Gases are miscible (that is, they rapidly mix with one another).
3 In terms of the kinetic molecular theory, suggest an explanation for the following:
a When you warm a balloon full of gas sufficiently, it bursts.
b We can readily walk through the atmosphere but it is much harder to walk through water.
4 A student wrote, The hotter the gas, the faster its particles move about. Is this true of every single particle in the sample? How
might this statement be modified to be more strictly correct?
5 Why have the gases of the atmosphere remained as a blanket that envelops the Earth rather than diffusing into space?
6 Suggest explanations for the following:
a Most of our early hydrogen did diffuse into space but carbon dioxide gas is concentrated near the surface.
b The atmosphere has distinct layers.
c Gases behave more ideally at high temperatures and low pressures.
d Lighter gases behave more ideally than heavier gases.
7 a Why cant the kinetic molecular theory explain the fact that gases liquefy when placed under high pressure and/or cooled?
b Create a series of drawings or a role-play or other model to show what happens as a gas liquefies.
8 If sodium hydrogen carbonate and hydrochloric acid are mixed in a flask sealed with a balloon, the solution effervesces and the
balloon inflates to the size of a light bulb, like the blue balloon in Figure 19.5. If left overnight, however, the balloon is drawn inside
the flask, like the red balloon. If the flask is warmed by sitting it in a bath of
boiling water, or if the flask is placed in a vacuum, the balloon pops out again.
Suggest an explanation of these observations in terms of the kinetic molecular
theory.
9 If they are both at the same temperature, which pollutant gas would you expect
to diffuse faster into the air, sulfur dioxide, SO
2
, or carbon monoxide, CO, or will
they diffuse at the same speed? Justify your answer.
10 a Sketch a MaxwellBoltzmann curve for the sample of gas represented in
Figure 19.3 if it is at a lower temperature than those depicted.
b If you were to draw a MaxwellBoltzmann curve for equal masses of liquid
water and water vapour that are both at 99 C, what might be the main
difference between the two graphs? Justify your answer.
the behaviour of real gases. At times the particles in a real gas do come close enough
for the forces to operate, even if their high speed means it is only momentarily.
Some gases with very light particles come close to ideal behaviour at low pressures
and high temperatures.
Heavier gases not only behave less ideally but they also take much longer to diffuse
into a space because they have a lower mean speed (page 438). In addition, due to
greater gravitational attraction, they tend to sink and concentrate more at lower levels
nearer the ground.
440 Unit 2
Figure 19.5 Before and aftera surprising result
h
vacuum
The pressure
of the mercury
balances the
external
pressure.
Figure 19.6 A barometer
based on Torricellis design. The
inverted tube and shallow dish
contain mercury. The more the
atmosphere presses down on
the mercury in the bowl, the
higher the column of mercury
in the tube. The pressure of the
atmosphere is given by the value
of h, the height of the mercury
column.
441
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
Gas pressure
When they collide with the wall of a containing vessel, gas particles give it a push. Gas
pressure is a measure of the total force exerted by gas particles per unit area of wall.
Atmospheric pressure is a measure of the total force per unit area of any surface exposed
to the atmosphere. It results from the fact that particles of the atmosphere are being pulled
towards the centre of the Earth by the Earths gravitational attraction acting on them.
A device to measure atmospheric pressure, the barometer, was invented in 1643 by
an Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli, who had once studied under Galileo. The
simple principle of his device is shown in Figure 19.6. This device provides one of the
units in which gas pressure is measuredmillimetres of mercury (abbreviated to
mmHg). This unit is also called the torr, in honour of Torricelli. The mean value of
h at sea level is 760 mmHg (or 760 torr). Since 760 mmHg is considered the standard
atmospheric pressure, it is also called the standard atmosphere.
The SI unit of gas pressure is the pascal (Pa), which corresponds to a force
of 1 newton per square metre. Table 19.1 lists the different units of gas pressure
commonly used in Chemistry. Figure 19.7 shows how to convert these units.
Table 19.1 Commonly used units of gas pressure
Name of pressure unit Standard symbol Meaning
pascal Pa Number of newtons per square metre of
surface (N m
2
)
kilopascal kPa 1000 pascals
atmosphere atm Number of times greater than the mean
pressure of the atmosphere at sea level,
which is equal to 760 mmHg
millimetres of mercury mmHg The height of a column of mercury on a
Torricellian barometer, measured in mm
Two other units of pressure
are the bar (100 000 Pa) and
the hectopascal (100 Pa)
used in meteorology. In some
countries the unit for measuring
gas pressure is the British
Imperial unit, pounds per square
inch (psi).
Gas pressure
Click on the link to gas pressure. Why is the pressure of a certain amount of gas constant if it is at
constant temperature? In what directions does atmospheric pressure act? What height of water would
exert the same pressure as our atmosphere?
Number of
Pa
101325 760
1000
Number of
mmHg
Number of
atmospheres
(atm)
760 101325
1000
Number of
kPa
Figure 19.7 Converting pressure units
442 Unit 2
Boyles law
Robert Boyle was a British alchemist and natural philosopher of the 17th century who
is often considered to be the founder of modern chemistry. He urged scientists to be
sure that their theories could stand up to testing by experiment (page 10).
Boyle was the first chemist to perform quantitative experiments on gases. It is
reported that he set up long J-shaped glass tubes in the front entrance of his house so
that he could make accurate measurements. These tubes contained a gas sealed in by a
quantity of mercury. By adding more and more mercury, he could increase the pressure
to which the gas was subjected (Figure 19.8). The height of the mercury column h
measured the gas pressure. Boyle then measured the volume occupied by the gas.
As you would expect, the greater the pressure exerted on the gas, the more
compressed it is and so the smaller the volume taken up by the gas. But Boyle
discovered that there was a mathematical relationship between the volume of the gas
and the pressure to which it was subjected. Table 19.2 shows some typical results.
Table 19.2 The value of PV measured when the pressure on a given mass of gas was changed at constant temperature.
Volume, V Pressure, P PV
117.5 12.0 14.1 10
2
87.2 16.0 14.0 10
2
70.7 20.0 14.1 10
2
58.8 24.0 14.1 10
2
44.2 32.0 14.1 10
2
35.3 40.0 14.1 10
2
29.1 48.0 14.0 10
2
Source: Zumdahl, SS, Chemistry, 3rd edition, University of Illinois, DC Heath & Co., Lexington, Massachusetts, p. 187.
Thus it is clear that if you change the pressure of a gas, the product PV will remain
the same.
It is important to realise that
as the pressure on the gas
increases, the gas volume will
only decrease until the pressure
it exerts on the mercury equals
the pressure the mercury exerts
on it! Hence the pressure exerted
by the gas and the pressure
exerted on the gas are the same.
Boyles law
Click on the link to Boyles law and view the NASA animation that shows how changing the pressure changes the volume of the gas when the mass of
the gas and its temperature are held constant. Do you get the same shape graph when the data in Table 19.2 is graphed in the same way? What would
the graphs of
1

__

V
against P and PV against P look like? What kind of mathematical relationship is this?
Boyles law
P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
where P
1
the initial total pressure on the gas
P
2
the final total pressure on the gas
V
1
the initial volume of the gas
V
2
the final volume of the gas.
This applies to pure gases and to gas mixtures provided that:
V
1
and V
2
are measured in the same units
P
1
and P
2
are measured in the same units
the temperature of the gas is held constant (that is, it does not change)
the number and type of particles do not change (that is, the gas particles do not
react with one another).
See Figure 15.6 on page 350 for
volume unit conversion factors,
and Figure 19.7 for pressure unit
conversion factors.
Boyles law
h
h
gas
mercury
added
Figure 19.8 These J-tubes are similar to
those used by Robert Boyle.
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
S
K
I
L
L
S
Applying Boyles law simply requires us to substitute into the formula and transpose it to find the required quantity.
But we must be careful to check that the temperature is constant and that the units of P and V are consistent with
one another. We also need to check that the answer is reasonable. For example, if a gas expands, as in the following
example, we expect that its pressure will drop, since the particles are spaced further apart and so should hit the
walls of the container less frequently.
Example
A certain mass of gas was sealed in a cylinder with a moveable piston. At a pressure of 10 kPa, it occupied 2.0 L. If
it were allowed to expand until its volume was 10.0 L, as shown in Figure 19.9, what would be the final gas pressure?
APPLYING BOYLES LAW
Solution
P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
P
1
10 kPa
Hence 10 2.0 P
2
10.0 V
1
2.0 L
P
2

10 2.0

________

10.0
P
2
?
2.0 kPa V
2
10.0 L
Answer
The final gas pressure is 2.0 kPa.
Note: The pressure has decreased, as predicted, so this answer is reasonable.
QUESTIONS 19. 2
1 Use Figure 19.7 to convert the stated pressure into the unit in the bracket.
a 500 mmHg (atm) d 102 kPa (atm)
b 1.1 atm (Pa) e 99.84 kPa (mmHg)
c 2.5 atm (kPa) f 150 000 Pa (mmHg)
2 A 210 mL sample of oxygen gas at 1.0 atm and 0 C is compressed until the final pressure is 1.5 atm. If the temperature is restored
to 0 C, what is its final volume?
3 A sample of gas at 713 mmHg is allowed to expand until it occupies 0.54 L at 0.12 atm. If the temperature is held constant
throughout, what was its original volume?
4 A balloon contained 0.68 m
3
of carbon dioxide gas at 1.059 atm and 21.2 C. It was placed in a decompression unit used for divers
and the pressure in the unit was increased to 4.39 atm. If the temperature was held constant, what volume would the balloon now
occupy?
continues on next page
443
pressure on gas
10 kPa
2.0 L 10.0 L
same amount of gas at
same temperature
Initial conditions Final conditions
Pressure
on gas is?
P
1
V
1
V
2
Figure 19.9 Expanding a gas
Charless law
Boyles law considered the relationship between the
volume and pressure of a gas when the temperature is
kept constant. What happens if the temperature changes?
Consider what happens to a gas sealed in a vessel
that has a frictionless piston, which can move in and
out so that the gas pressure remains constant. If the
gas is heated or cooled, the piston will move in or
out until the gas pressure again equals the constant
external pressure.
The relationship between gas volume and
temperature is expressed in Charless law, named
after the French physicist Jacques Charles. Charles
was the first scientist to discover that there is a linear
relationship between the volume and the temperature
of a gas, as shown in Figure 19.11. He also was the
first person to fill a balloon with hydrogen and the
first person to make a solo balloon flight.
We can see from Figure 19.11 that no matter what
the pressure is, the volume of the gas extrapolates back
to approximately 273 C. Lord Kelvin, a British
physicist born in Belfast, concluded from various experimental data that there is a lower
limit to temperature, and this limit is 273 C. He called this temperature absolute
zero, and set up a temperature scale with the same-sized units as the Celsius scale but
with a new zero point. This is called the absolute temperature scale.
Since he was the first person to recognise the importance of absolute zero, the unit
of this new absolute temperature scale was later called the kelvin (K) in his honour. This
scale is shown in Figure 19.12. Note that the units of the absolute temperature scale do
not have a degree sign. For example, a temperature of 20 on this scale is written 20 K.
Figure 19.13 shows how we convert temperature units between the Celsius and absolute
temperature scales.
When graphs are extrapolated,
we extend the lines past the
region for which we have data.
This does not always result in an
accurate prediction of values.
For example, gases will liquefy
before zero volume is achieved.
444 Unit 2
19.1
2.0 L 3.0 L
Figure 19.10
0.5
250 200 150 100 50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
20 atm
30 atm
40 atm
50 atm
100 atm
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Temperature (C)
V(L)
extrapolation of
graphs to V = 0
region for which
data is known
300
Figure 19.11 The graph of gas volume against temperature for one mole of hydrogen gas at
different pressures. The dotted lines show where the graphs have been extrapolated back to
zero volume.
5 A sample of gas is confined in a glass vessel of volume 2.0 L. A gas-pressure sensor
shows that it is exerting a pressure of 40.0 kPa on the walls of its container at 20.0 C.
The vessel is connected by a tap to another glass vessel. This second vessel contains
no gas, having been previously evacuated using an air pump (Figure 19.10). The total
volume of the evacuated vessel and the connection tube is 3.0 L.
If the tap is opened:
a What will the gas in the first vessel do? Predict and explain its behaviour in terms of
the kinetic theory of gases.
b Calculate the pressure of the gas in the first vessel after the gas pressure has
reached a steady value again and the temperature is restored to 20.0 C.
continued from previous page
445
Celsius
temperature
(C)
Absolute
temperature
(K)
+ 273
273
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
If the graphs shown in Figure 19.11 are redrawn using the absolute temperature
scale instead of the Celsius scale, the mathematical relationship between volume
and temperature is simpler. This is shown in Figure 19.14.
More accurately, absolute zero
is 273.16 C. The number
of significant figures we use
in a question depends on the
accuracy of the data.
273
0 273 373
0 100 Celsius scale
Absolute scale
Normal
MP
of ice
Normal
BP
of water
Lowest
possible
temperature
C
K
Figure 19.12 The Celsius and
absolute temperature scales
Figure 19.13 Converting
temperature units
chemBYTE
Lord Kelvin
Lord Kelvin was appointed Professor of
Natural Philosophy (later called Physics)
at Glasgow University in 1846, when he
was only 22 years old. Over his lifetime he
invented many useful devices that applied
the knowledge he had accumulated
through his research. These included
galvanometers, deep-sea sounding gear, a
mariners compass and an electric clock.
0.5
50 0
V (L)
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550
20 atm
30 atm
40 atm
50 atm
100 atm
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Absolute temperature (K)
Figure 19.14 The graph of gas volume against absolute temperature for 1 mole of
hydrogen gas at different pressures
From Figure 19.14 we can see that the relationship between the volume of a gas V and
its absolute temperature T is V kT, where k is a constant that depends on the pressure.
This equation can be transformed to
V

__

T
k. That is, the fraction
V

__

T
is constant at
constant pressure.
Charless law

V
1

__

T
1

V
2

__

T
2

where V
1
the initial volume of the gas
V
2
the final volume of the gas
T
1
the initial temperature of the gas
T
2
the final temperature of the gas
This applies to pure gases and gas mixtures provided that:
V
1
and V
2
are measured in the same units
T
1
and T
2
are measured in kelvin
the total pressure on the gas is held constant
the number and type of particles do not change.
S
K
I
L
L
S
As for Boyles law, we simply use the formula, checking that the units are correct and that the answer is reasonable. The hotter the
sample of gas, the greater will be its volume.
Example
A 5.0 L sample of a gas at 50 C is heated until it occupies double its original volume at the same pressure. What is its final
temperature? Give your answer in C.
Solution

V
1

___

T
1

V
2

___

T
2
V
1
5.0 L
Hence
5.0

____

323

10.0

____

T
2
V
2
2 5.0 10.0 L
5.0 T
2
10.0 323 (cross-multiplying) T
1
(50 273) K 323 K
T
2

10.0 323

__________

5
T
2
?
646 K
(646 273) C
373 C
Answer
The final temperature is 373 C.
APPLYING CHARLESS LAW
Charless law
Click on the link to Charless law and view the animation of how this law works. Watch the graph as the gas is heated. How can you tell that the mass of
the gas and the total pressure on it are held constant? Which other French chemist is this law often named after and what was his role in its development?
QUESTIONS 19. 3
1 Convert these temperatures to their equivalent value on the absolute temperature scale.
a 140 C b 125 C
2 Convert these temperatures to their equivalent value on the Celsius temperature scale.
a 273 K b 10 K
3 Temperatures at around 40 C are often recorded in the Antarctic. Can you have a negative absolute temperature? Discuss.
4 A sample of gas is heated until its Celsius temperature doubles from 40 C to 80 C. If its final volume is 100 mL, what was its
original volume if the pressure remained at 110 kPa?
5 A sample of air is cooled from 1100 C to 25 C. If its original volume was 2.0 m
3
, and the pressure remained at 1.03 atm
throughout, what was its final volume:
a in m
3
? b in litres?
6 A sealed flask contains 2.4 L of gas at 22 C and 1.5 atm pressure. It is connected to another flask that has been previously
evacuated and the tap is opened so that the gas now occupies a total of 4.0 L. To what temperature must it be heated to restore the
original pressure?
7 Use the kinetic molecular theory of gases to explain why the volume of a gas will increase if it is heated in a balloon or in a cylinder or
syringe with a moveable piston or plunger. You may use a sketch to assist your explanation.
446 Unit 2
19.2
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
The combined gas equation
We have learned that for a constant mass of gas:
At constant temperature: P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
(Boyles law)
At constant pressure:
V
1

__

T
1

V
2

__

T
2
(Charles law)
Usually temperature and pressure change at the same time. We can combine
these two laws, to form the following general equation, which is often termed the
combined gas equation:

P
1
V
1

____

T
1

P
2
V
2

____

T
2

This applies to pure gases and gas mixtures
provided that:
V
1
and V
2
are measured in the same units
P
1
and P
2
are measured in the same units
T
1
and T
2
are measured in kelvin
the number and type of particles do not change.
Standard conditions for gases
Scientists often find it useful to compare the volumes of gases at one of two sets of
standard conditions of temperature and pressure. These are defined in Table 19.3. We
then use the appropriate gas law to determine the volume of gas at these conditions.
APPLYING THE COMBINED
GAS EQUATION
S
K
I
L
L
S
Again we simply use substitution and transposition of the formula to solve problems. We only use this formula if the pressure
and temperature both change at the same time.
Example
A weather balloon is released with a volume of 0.40 m
3
at 17 C and 758 mmHg at ground level. It reaches a height where
the temperature is 13 C and the pressure is 84.2 mmHg. What volume will it now occupy?
Solution

P
1
V
1

____

T
1

P
2
V
2

____

T
2


758 0.40

__________

290

84.2 V
2

________

260

This gives V
2
3.2 m
3
.
P
1
758 mmHg
P
2
84.2 mmHg
V
1
0.40 m
3
V
2
?
T
1
(17 273) K = 290 K
T
2
(13 273) K = 260 K
Answer
The final volume of the balloon is 3.2 m
3
.
Note: The balloon has expanded to eight times its original volume. The drop in pressure in the upper atmosphere (which permits
the balloon to increase in volume) has a far more significant effect than the drop in temperature (which would cause the balloon
to decrease in volume, if it were the only change).
447
Table 19.3 Standard conditions used
by scientists to compare gas volumes
Name of standard
condition and common
abbreviation
Temperature (C) Pressure (atm)
Standard temperature and
pressure (STP)
0 1.0
Standard laboratory
conditions (SLC)
25 1.0
1 What volume would be occupied by a 250 mL sample of argon gas, originally at 24 C and 1.08 atm, if it is now changed to:
a 15 C and 1.25 atm? b 130 C and 0.87 atm? c 750 C and 742 mmHg?
2 A sample of gas occupies 10 L at STP. What volume will the gas occupy at:
a SLC? b 500 C and 2.0 atm?
3 Find the volume at SLC that would be occupied by:
a 76.0 mL of hydrogen at 23 C and 750 mmHg
b 500 mL of neon gas at 350 K and 200 kPa
c 3.0 L of neon gas at 40 C and 90 000 Pa.
4 What is the volume at STP occupied by:
a 2.0 m
3
of carbon dioxide gas at 20 C and 760 mmHg?
b 150 mL of chlorine gas at 132 K and 114 kPa?
5 A weather balloon is filled with hydrogen to a volume of 20.0 L and released from a field where the air temperature is 19.6 C and
atmospheric pressure is 102.50 kPa. Atmospheric pressure decreases by 1.30 kPa for every 100 m rise in altitude. What would be the
volume of the balloon at an altitude of 1500 m, if the temperature at that height was 10.2 C?
6 A diver blew up a balloon to 2.0 L at 21 C and 1.0 atm and then took it down to a depth at which the temperature was 14 C and
the pressure on the balloon was 2.0 atm.
a What volume did the air in the balloon occupy at that depth?
b In terms of the kinetic theory, explain why the bubbles breathed out by divers get larger and larger as they rise to the surface.
c Suggest why divers must gradually increase the pressure of the gas they breathe in as they descend.
QUESTIONS 19. 4
448 Unit 2
Figure 19.15 A weather balloon being
released to study the upper atmosphere.
Inject
more gas
If there is twice the number of moles of gas
it will occupy twice the volume at the same
temperature and pressure.
Figure 19.17 The relationship
between gas volume and
the number of moles of gas
present
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
Gay-Lussac not only found
out that the volumes of
reacting gases were in simple
proportions, he was also the
first chemist to record solubility
curves for solids!
Avogadro proposed the name
molecule for aggregates of atoms.
Avogadros number, the number
of particles in a mole, was named
after him to honour his work.
19.3
Molar volumes
In 1809, the French chemist Joseph Gay-Lussac experimented with the volumes of
gases used and produced in chemical reactions. For example, he found that if he
reacted hydrogen and oxygen to produce water, the volume of hydrogen gas used and
the volume of the steam produced were each exactly double the volume of oxygen
gas used, when all volumes were measured at the same temperature and pressure.
Similarly, when hydrogen and chlorine gases reacted, equal volumes of each gas were
consumed and the volume of the product, hydrogen chloride gas, was double this
volume, provided all volumes were measured at the same temperature and pressure.
This is illustrated in Figure 19.16.
2H
2
O
+
2 volumes 1 volume 2 volumes
1O
2
2H
2
2HCl +
1 volume 2 volumes
1Cl
2
1 volume
1H
2
Figure 19.16 Gay-Lussacs discovery
Two years later, the Italian chemist Amadeo Avogadro interpreted these results by
proposing that equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain
equal numbers of particles. He reasoned that the space between gas particles is so large
compared to their actual size that it does not matter which gas it isthe total volume
merely would depend on how many particles you have. Thus, no matter what gas is
present, if you double the number of moles of gas particles present, the volume will
double, and so on (Figure 19.17).
It follows from Avogadros ideas that the relationship between the number of moles
of gas n and the volume of gas V is:
n
V

___

V
m

where V
m
is the volume occupied by 1 mole of any gas or gas mixture at the given
temperature and pressure. It is termed the molar volume.
Note:
V and V
m
must be measured in consistent units. Since the unit of V
m
is generally in
mol L
1
, then V must be measured in litres.
Although this relationship is true for any temperature and pressure, it would be
impractical to list the value of V
m
for every possible combination of temperature and
pressure. So instead we just list it at STP and SLC. This means that if we know the
volume of a pure gas or a gas mixture at STP or SLC, we can deduce how many moles
of gas are present, or vice versa.
STP: V
m
22.2 mol L
1
SLC: V
m
24.5 mol L
1
These standard values apply
to ideal gases. However,
they are a close enough
approximation to real gases
for our calculations.
We can readily convert the
value of V
m
at STP and at SLC
to the equivalent volume at
any other temperature and
pressure using the combined
gas equation (page 447). But
in practice, we rarely do since
there is another relationship
we can use instead, which is
studied next.
449
450 Unit 2
1 How many moles of the specified gas are present in:
a 6.0 L of pure H
2
S gas at STP? b 0.400 m
3
of pure O
2
gas at SLC?
2 Find the mass of:
a 2.0 L of pure CO
2
gas at STP b 11.2 L of CH
4
gas at STP c 5.0 mL of H
2
gas at SLC.
3 Show that if the volume occupied by one mole of gas is 22.4 L at STP, the equivalent volume at SLC is 24.5 L.
4 What volume will a mole of gas occupy at 1000 C and 0.50 atm?
5 How many oxygen molecules will be present in a 10.0 L sample of oxygen at SLC?
6 About how many air particles will be present in a room of dimensions 5 m 3 m 2 m, if the room is at SLC?
QUESTIONS 19. 5
S
K
I
L
L
S
APPLYING THE MOLAR
VOLUME RELATIONSHIP
Problems may require simple substitution into the formula, but sometimes other mole relationships may be required as well
(Figure 19.18).
Total number
of gas
particles
Volume of
gas
(L)
Amount of
gas
(mol)
Mass of
gas
(g)
n
number of particles
6.02 10
23
V
m
V
n
M
m
n
Figure 19.18 Possible pathways for gases
Example
A sample of pure argon gas was collected at STP and found to occupy 10.0 mL. What must have been the mass of the gas?
Solution
From Figure 19.18, it can be seen that two steps are required for this calculation.
Step 1 Calculate the amount of argon, in mol.
n
V

___

V
m
V 10.0 mL 0.0100 L
Hence n(Ar)
0.0100

______

22.4
V
m
22.4 mol L
1
at STP
4.46 10
4
mol n ?
Step 2 Calculate the mass of argon.
m nM n(Ar) 4.46 10
4
mol
Hence m(Ar) 4.46 10
4
40.0 M(Ar) 40.0 g mol
1
0.0179 g m(Ar) ?
Answer
The mass of the argon is 0.0179 g.
Again, we substitute into the equation, making sure that each quantity is in the correct units.
Example
0.30 mol of hydrogen gas is injected into a previously evacuated 250 mL vessel. If the temperature of the gas is 27 C, what
pressure will it exert on the walls of the container?
Solution
PV nRT P ?
Hence P 0.250 0.30 8.31 300 V 250 mL 0.250 L
Which gives P 3000 kPa n 0.30 mol
R 8.31 J K
1
mol
1
T (27 273) K 300 K
Answer
The pressure the hydrogen exerts on the walls of the container is 3000 kPa.
Note:
The data had to be converted to the required units.
The answer (2991.6) has been rounded off to 2 significant figures, since the original data was supplied to a minimum accuracy of 2 significant figures.
This gas equation can be used to determine the mass of a gas, or the volume occupied by a given mass of gas, by first calculating n.
S
K
I
L
L
S
APPLYING THE GENERAL
GAS EQUATION
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
The general gas equation
The general gas equation, also known as the universal gas equation and the ideal
gas equation, directly states the relationship between the volume of a gas, its pressure,
temperature and the amount of gas:
PV nRT
where P the pressure on the gas or exerted by the gas, in kPa
V the volume of the gas, in L
n the total number of moles of the gas present
R universal gas constant 8.31 J K
1
mol
1
T the absolute temperature of the gas, in K
This applies to a pure gas or to a gas mixture. Note that the given value of R
requires the units of volume and pressure stated.
1 Find the volume that will be occupied by:
a 5.5 mol of chlorine gas at 17 C and 110 kPa d 16.0 g oxygen gas at 12 C and 600 kPa
b 10 mol of helium gas at 52 C and 50 kPa e 16.0 g of carbon dioxide gas at 12 C and 600 kPa
c 2.0 mol of air particles at 22 C and 100 kPa f 40.0 g of methane gas at 150 C and 1.02 atm
2 Account for the fact that the answers to Question 1 parts d and e are different.
continues on next page
QUESTIONS 19. 6
451
Required quantity
of unknown,
e.g. gas volume
Quantity of
known,
e.g. mass
n (known) n (unknown)
Use mole
relationship
from balanced
equation
STEP 3 STEP 2 STEP 1
Figure 19.19 Calculations in gas
stoichiometry the three-step
approach
452 Unit 2
Gravitational forces pull more
strongly on denser objects.
Therefore, when objects that
are more dense than water
are placed in water, they
generally sink in it. If they are
less dense than water, they
float on it. Air is a medium
like water, in that objects can
rise up or sink in it.
HELPFUL HINT
continued from previous page
3 Use the general gas equation to find the volume of 1.00 mol of a gas at STP. Is your answer consistent
with the stated molar volume of a gas at STP?
4 A sample of nitrogen dioxide gas, NO
2
, is collected and found to occupy a volume of 725 mL at
749 mmHg and 25 C. What is its mass?
5 In an experiment, some students generated carbon dioxide by reacting marble chips and hydrochloric
acid. The gas was bubbled through water to wash the gas and then through concentrated sulfuric acid
to dry it. It was finally collected in a gas syringe, which was then sealed so that the carbon dioxide could
not escape. The volume collected was 95.4 mL at 19.2 C and atmospheric pressure. The mass of the
carbon dioxide was found to be 0.196 g. What must the atmospheric pressure have been at the time of
the experiment?
6 Find the mass of 1.0 cm
3
(1.0 mL) of each of the following gases at 25 C and 1.0 atm, and hence state
the density of each gas under these conditions, in g cm
3
.
a hydrogen d nitrogen
b helium e carbon dioxide
c oxygen
7 The mean molar mass of air is approximately the weighted mean of the molar masses of its three
principal constituents (Table 17.1 page 403). That is, it is given by:
mean molar mass of air
78

____

100
M(N
2
)
21

____

100
M(O
2
)
1

____

100
M(Ar)
a Calculate the approximate mean molar mass of air.
b Use your result to calculate the mean density of air at SLC in g cm
3
.
c Use your answers to parts a and b to explain why balloons filled with hydrogen and helium rise up
in the air.
d Predict what a balloon filled with carbon dioxide will do when released. Justify your answer.
Gas stoichiometry
Now that we know the relationships between the amount of gas and its volume:
n
V

___

V
m
(generally only used when the gas is at STP or SLC)
and PV nRT (generally only used when the gas is NOT at STP or SLC)
we are in a position to calculate the volume of a gas that will be produced in a certain
reaction (Figure 19.19).
453
SOLVING PROBLEMS IN GAS
STOICHIOMETRY
S
K
I
L
L
S
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
In these problems, we need to carefully assess which of the two gas mole relationships we need to use. That is, we check
whether the gas is at STP or SLC or neither. Then we use the three step approach in Figure 19.19.
Example 1
When magnesium ribbon is added to dilute hydrochloric acid, there is a rapid effervescence and hydrogen gas is evolved
(Figure 14.17 page 326). The equation for the reaction is:
Mg(s) 2HCl(aq) MgCl
2
(aq) H
2
(g)
What mass of magnesium is required to produce 50.0 mL of hydrogen gas at SLC?
Solution
In this case the known substance is hydrogen and the unknown is magnesium. We can annotate the equation as shown in
Figure 19.20.
Mg(s) +
2HCl(aq) MgCl
2
(aq)
+ H
2
(g)
50.0 mL
SLC
UNKNOWN KNOWN
mass?
Figure 19.20 Annotating
the equation
Step 1 Calculate the amount of the known, in mol.
The gas is at SLC, therefore we will use the simpler of the moles relationships for gases:
n
V

___

V
m
V 50.0 mL 0.0500 L
Hence n(H
2
)
0.500

_____

24.5
V
m
25.5 L mol
1
at SLC
0.0204 mol n ?
Step 2 Calculate the amount of the unknown, in mol.
From the equation:
n(Mg) n(H
2
)
0.0204 mol
Step 3 Calculate the required quantity for the unknown.
m nM m(Mg) ?
Hence m(Mg) 0.0204 24.3 n(Mg) 0.0204 mol
0.496 g M(Mg) 24.3 g mol
1
Answer
The mass of magnesium required is 0.496 g.
Example 2
When concentrated nitric acid is added to copper turnings, nitrogen dioxide gas is evolved (Figure 15.14 page 361).
The equation for the reaction is:
Cu(s) 4HNO
3
(aq) Cu(NO
3
)
2
(aq) 2NO
2
(g) 2H
2
O(I)
What volume of nitrogen dioxide will be produced at 105 kPa and 30.0 C if 8.00 g copper reacts?
continues on next page
QUESTIONS 19. 7
1 When excess hydrochloric acid is added to 0.500 g marble chips, what volume of carbon dioxide will be produced if it is collected at
STP? The equation for the reaction is:
2HCl(aq) CaCO
3
(s) CaCl
2
(aq) CO
2
(g) H
2
O(l)
2 When magnesium ribbon is heated in air, it burns with a brilliant white light to produce magnesium oxide, according to the
equation:
2Mg(s) O
2
(g) 2MgO(s)
continued from previous page
Solution
In this case the known substance is copper and the unknown is nitrogen dioxide. We can annotate the equation as shown in
Figure 19.21.
Cu(s) +
4HNO
3
(aq) Cu(NO
3
)
2
(aq)
+ + 2NO
2
(g) 2H
2
O(l)
volume?
105 kPa, 30.0 C
KNOWN UNKNOWN
8.00 g
Figure 19.21 Annotating
the equation
Step 1 Calculate the amount of the known, in mol.
n
m

__

M
m(Cu) 8.00 g
M(Cu) 63.5 g mol
1
Hence n(Cu)
8.00

____

63.5

n(Cu) ?
0.126 mol
Step 2 Calculate the amount of the unknown, in mol.
From the equation:
n(NO
2
) 2n(Cu)
2 0.126
0.252 mol
Step 3 Calculate the required quantity for the unknown.
The gas is not at STP or SLC, therefore we will use the general gas equation.
PV nRT P 105 kPa
Hence 105 V 0.252 8.31 303.2 V ?
V 6.05 L n 0.252 mol
R 8.31 J K
1
mol
1
T (30.0 273.2) K 303.2 K
Answer
The volume of nitrogen dioxide gas produced is 6.05 L.
Note: In Example 2, absolute zero was written as 273.2 C, so that it was quoted to the same number of decimal places as
the temperature in the data.
454 Unit 2
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
Volumevolume stoichiometry
for gases
This is a very special case of stoichiometry, in which we use the fact
discovered by Avogadro that the volumes of gases are directly proportional
to their number of moles, provided they are measured at the same
temperature and pressure (page 449).
Table 19.4 shows how this works when a reaction is totally in the
gas phase. The reaction we will consider is:
N
2
(g) 3H
2
(g) 2NH
3
(g)
Table 19.4 shows that if 100 mL of N
2
reacts, then we can
predict that 300 mL of H
2
will also be consumed and 200 mL
of NH
3
will be produced. Therefore, it is easier to use a table like
Table 19.4 than to use our normal three-step approach. Moreover,
because you do not need to use any formulas, you do not even need
to know the actual value of the temperature and pressure!
455
Table 19.4 Volume relationships
in the production of ammonia
N
2
(g) 3H
2
(g) 2NH
3
(g)
Ratio of
number of
moles
1 3 2
Ratio of
volumes of
gases at same
T and P
1 3 2
Example 100 mL 300 mL 200 mL
If a piece of magnesium ribbon weighing 2.50 g is burnt in a room in which the temperature of the air is
18 C and the pressure is 99 000 Pa, what volume of oxygen is consumed?
3 Sodium azide, NaN
3
, is used for the reaction that occurs in many air bags. It produces nitrogen gas and
sodium metal. However, sodium azide is extremely hazardous. When
the car has ended its useful life, if the air bag has not been activated,
the unreacted sodium azide must be properly disposed of.
The equation for the reaction is:
2NaN
3
(s) 2Na(s) 3N
2
(g)
a What volume of nitrogen gas at 25 C and 756 mmHg will be
produced from 50.0 g of sodium azide?
b What property of the gas allows the air bag to act as a cushion?
c Nitrogen gas is non-toxic at normal pressures. Name one safety
concern you might have with the other product of the reaction.
4 In a blast furnace, the principal net reaction in which iron ore, Fe
2
O
3
,
is reduced to metallic iron by carbon monoxide is:
Fe
2
O
3
(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(l) + 3CO
2
(g)
a What volume of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide would be
produced at 1200 C and 5.0 atm for each 1.0 tonne of iron(III) oxide?
b What volume of carbon monoxide at 2200 C and 9.5 atm would
be consumed when 1.0 tonne of molten iron is produced?
Figure 19.22 Car air bags are activated when a steel ball inside them is suddenly
decelerated by an impact, causing it to compress a spring, which ignites a detonator
cap. This in turn causes a solid substance to decompose explosively, producing a
large volume of gas within 0.04 seconds of a sudden impact. This gas is trapped
inside a sealed bag, which blows up like a balloon and cushions the car occupant
from more serious injuries.
456 Unit 2
SOLVING VOLUMEVOLUME
STOICHIOMETRY PROBLEMS FOR GASES
S
K
I
L
L
S
QUESTIONS 19. 8
In these cases we set up a table like Table 19.4 to solve the problem. But first we check that the known and any unknowns are
gases at the same temperature and pressure.
Example
When the greenhouse gas methane completely burns in
air, it produces the less potent greenhouse gases carbon
dioxide and water vapour. The equation for the reaction is:
CH
4
(g) 2O
2
(g) CO
2
(g) 2H
2
O(g)
If 50.0 mL of methane reacts, what volume of
carbon dioxide and steam will be produced, if all the
gases are measured at 500 C and 1.00 atm pressure?
Answer
50.0 mL carbon dioxide and 100 mL water vapour are
produced.
Note:
1 Since the question did not ask about oxygen, it could be left out of the table, but it is
just as easy to show the whole equation.
2 The number of significant figures was kept consistent with the number in the original
volume of 50.0 mL (3). The number of significant figures in the temperature and
pressure is not taken into account since these values are not used.
3 Had the equation shown that the water was in the liquid state, its volume could not
be determined by this method. (We would need to know the density of water at the
specified temperature to determine its volume.)
4 The volume units used in these calculations can be any volume unit, provided they are
consistent.
Table 19.5 Solving the problem
CH
4
(g) 2O
2
(g) CO
2
(g) 2H
2
O(g)
Ratio of number
of moles
1 2 1 2
Ratio of volumes
of gases at same
T and P
1 2 1 2
If we start with
50.0 mL CH
4
50.0 mL
(starting
amount)
100 mL
reacts as well
(2 50.0)
50.0 mL
is produced
100 mL
is produced
(2 50.0)
Solution
1 When Gay-Lussac experimented with the volumes of gases used in the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen (page 449), what
volumes of oxygen and hydrogen would have been required to produce 1.0 L of steam if all the gases are measured at the same
temperatures and pressure?
2 During lightning, the nitrogen and oxygen in the air through which the electrical discharge passes react according to the equation:
N
2
(g) O
2
(g) 2NO(g)
Calculate the volume of nitrogen oxide formed if 1000 000 m
3
of oxygen is consumed during one lightning strike, if all the gases are
measured at the same temperature and pressure.
3 When propane gas is burnt in excess oxygen, carbon dioxide gas and steam are the only products:
C
3
H
8
(g) 5O
2
(g) 3CO
2
(g) 4H
2
O(g)
I9.0 m
3
of carbon dioxide is produced at 563 C and 758 mmHg.
a What volume of steam was produced at 563 C and 758 mmHg?
b What volumes of propane and oxygen were consumed, if they were measured at the same temperature and pressure as the products?
c What volume will the carbon dioxide gas occupy if the products of this combustion were then cooled to 15 C, the temperature of
their surroundings, but the pressure remained at 758 mmHg? (The steam will have condensed to liquid water during this process.)
4 When butane gas is burnt in excess oxygen, the equation for the reaction is:
2C
4
H
10
(g) 13O
2
(g) 8CO
2
(g) 10H
2
O(g)
If 40 mL of butane is consumed and if all gases are measured at 750 C and 99.5 kPa:
a What volume of oxygen will be required? b What will be the total volume of the products?
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
V
M
V
n
gas pressure increases with
increasing T (constant V)
gas volume increases with
increasing T (constant P)
mean speed of
gas particles
increases with
increasing T
use in
volumevolume
stoichiometry
for gases
generally
only use if gas
at STP or SLC
V n
gas particles move
rapidly in straight lines,
colliding frequently
gas pressure
measures force
per unit
area of surface
Boyles law
P
1
V
1
= P
2
V
2
explains
explains
explains
gases are compressible
gases have very low density
gases do not have a boundary
surface
explains
proposes
proposes
proposes
does not
explain
n, T constant P, T constant
GASES
absolute
temperature scale
n constant n, P constant
T in kelvin
apply in gas
stoichiometry
chaotic motion
of particles
mathematical
relationships between
n, V, P, T
proposes
general gas equation
(universal gas equation,
ideal gas equation) PV = nRT
Charless law
T
2
T
1
=
V
1
V
2
combined gas equation
T
2
T
1
=
P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
gas particles have large
spaces between them
no forces between
gas particles
gases flow, rapidly filling any
available space
gases are miscible
gases liquefy
at low T and/or
high P
GAS LAWS
KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY
Visual summary
457
458 Unit 2
Key terms
absolute temperature scale elastic collisions molar volume
absolute zero gas pressure pascal (Pa)
atmospheric pressure
general gas equation (universal gas
equation, ideal gas equation)
standard atmosphere
Boyles law ideal gas
standard laboratory conditions
(SLC)
Charless law kinetic molecular theory (of gases)
standard temperature and
pressure (STP)
combined gas equation kinetics
diffusion millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
Review questions
1 If a sample of gas sealed in a container of fixed volume is heated, which one or more of the following will occur? Justify
your answer.
a The average speed of the molecules will increase.
b The molecules will expand.
c The walls of the container will be hit more frequently.
d Every gas molecule will speed up.
e The pressure of the gas will be unaffected.
2 At a certain temperature, the volume of a car tyre
is 27 L at 200 kPa. If the temperature remains
unchanged, what will be the volume of the tyre if
the pressure is changed to:
a 900 mmHg?
b 1.5 atm?
3 A sample of oxygen gas is sealed into a cylinder
with a moveable piston and occupies 12.0 L at 20
C. If the piston is allowed to move freely so that
the pressure exerted by the oxygen always equals
atmospheric pressure, which remains constant,
what will be the new volume if the temperature is
altered to:
a 100 C?
b 100 K?
4 A storage tank is designed to hold a fixed volume
of ethane at 120 kPa and 25 C. For safety,
the container has a relief valve, which opens
automatically as soon as the pressure builds up
to 260 kPa. At what temperature would the given
amount of ethane reach a pressure of 260 kPa?
W
O
R
D
19
19
Figure 19.23 Blowing a balloon up using a vacuum pump
459
Chapter 19 Measuring
gases
5 A balloon that has been partially inflated occupies only 100 mL at SLC. It is then placed in a vacuum jar to which a vacuum
pump is attached. As the air is pumped out of the jar, the balloon expands, as shown in Figure 19.23.
a If the air pressure in the jar has decreased to 0.10 atmosphere and the temperature remains at 25 C, what volume will the
balloon now occupy?
b If the same balloon were taken 30 m below the sea surface, and the temperature of the ocean was 5 C and the pressure
was 4 atm, what volume would the balloon now occupy?
c Use the kinetic theory of gases to explain why the balloon expands in the partial vacuum. You may use a diagram to
assist your explanation.
6 A balloon contains 25 L of helium at SLC.
a What is the mass of helium present in the balloon?
b What would be the volume of this balloon if the conditions were changed to STP?
7 In the manufacture of phosphorus, its oxide, P
4
O
10
, is heated with carbon. The equation for the reaction is:
P
4
O
10
(g) 10C(s) P
4
(g) 10CO(g)
Calculate the volume of CO at SLC that will be produced for each kilogram of phosphorus gas.
8 Oxyacetylene torches produce a very hot flame that can be used to weld metals. These torches burn ethyne (acetylene), C
2
H
2
,
which is stored at high pressure in a cylinder.
a Write a balanced equation for burning this hydrocarbon in excess oxygen.
b Use this equation to determine the volume of oxygen that must be consumed and the volume of steam produced when
2.0 m
3
of carbon dioxide is produced, if all three gases are measured at 103 kPa and 1200 C.
c What volume of carbon dioxide is produced at 103 kPa and 1200 C if 150 g of acetylene is burnt?
9 Balloons of different colours were filled with different gases and carefully sealed. Table 19.6 shows their contents.
Table 19.6 What is in the balloons?
Colour of balloon Gas present Volume
at SLC (L)
Red CO
2
4.0
Blue NO
2
4.0
Green SO
2
4.0
For each statement, write T if it is true, F if it is false and N if there is insufficient information to make a judgment.
a If all the balloons were let go, they would sink to the ground.
b All the balloons must weigh the same.
c Each balloon contains the same number of molecules.
d The mean speed of the molecules in each balloon would be the same.
e The molecules in the red balloon would hit the rubber walls more frequently than the molecules in the green balloon.
f If the contents of each balloon were bubbled through lithium hydroxide, which is a strong base, all three gases would be
absorbed.
g If the balloons were towed on the back of a glider to the upper atmosphere, they would all expand.
h If the balloons were all placed in a decompression chamber and the pressure was increased to 10 atm, they would all
shrink to a volume of 400 mL.