Gases & the Equations of State

Module 1 · 1 of 8

💨Gases & the Equations of State

From the ideal-gas law to real-gas behaviour

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From the ideal-gas law to real-gas behaviour

The ideal-gas law is the starting point of thermodynamics, but real gases deviate — molecules have volume and attract one another. The van der Waals equation captures both effects and even predicts the critical point where the liquid–gas distinction vanishes.

Difficulty

intro

Time

~30 min

Equations

Practice Qs

Learning Objectives

✓Apply the ideal-gas law pV = nRT and track units consistently
✓Explain why real gases deviate from ideality at high P and low T
✓Interpret the van der Waals constants a (attraction) and b (excluded volume)
✓Locate the critical point and relate Tc, Pc, Vc to a and b
✓Read a compression factor Z = pV/nRT and say what Z ≠ 1 means

Prerequisites

Moles & the gas constant RPressure, volume, temperature units

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