An ideal gas has certain characteristics assumed on the basis of the kinetic theory, namely;
The ideal gas equation can be written mathematically as;
Pv = nRT
where;
Thus, to calculate the volume of 1 mole of an ideal gas at STP;
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- Gases are composed of molecules which undergo constant random motion in straight lines.
- The molecules behave as rigid spheres.
- Pressure is due to collisions between the molecules and the walls of the container.
- All collisions (intermolecular and against the walls of the container) do not result in a loss of kinetic energy.
- The kinetic energy of the molecules on average is proportional to the temperature of the gas.
- What differentiates an ideal gas from a real gas is that an ideal gas does not experience any intermolecular force between gas particles.
- Furthermore, the volume that the molecules occupy is negligible compared to the volume of the container.
The ideal gas equation can be written mathematically as;
Pv = nRT
where;
- P represents Pressure in Pascals (Pa = N/m2)
- v represents Volume in Cubic Metres (m3)
- n represents Number of moles (Mass/ Molar mass of the gas)
- R represents the gas constant with a value of 8.31441 J/Kmol
- T represents Temperature in Kelvin
Thus, to calculate the volume of 1 mole of an ideal gas at STP;
- P = 1 ATM =0101325 Pa
- T = 0°C = 273K
- n = 1 mol
- R = 8.31441 J/Kmol
- Pv = nRT
- 101325*V = 1*8.31441*273
- V = 1*8.31441*273/101325 m3
- V = 0.0224 m3 (to 3 significant figures) = 22.4 dm3
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