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Unit 9 Packet: Gas Laws

Introduction to Gas Laws Notes:

 In chemistry, the relationships between gas physical properties are described

as gas laws. Some of these properties are pressure, volume, and temperature.
These laws show how a change in one of these properties affects the others.
The gas laws in chemistry are: Boyle's Law, Charles' Law, the Combined Gas
Law, Avogadro's Law, and the Ideal Gas Law.

 Gas Variables:
o Pressure (P) – The force per unit area on a surface. Gas molecules exert
force, and therefore pressure, on any surface, sides of container, with
which they collide.
o Temperature (T) – Temperature is measured in the Kelvin scale; it is
an index of gas motion and not a measure of heat. Absolute zero, K =
0o, all motion stops!
o Volume (V) – Volume is the quantity of three-dimensional space
occupied by a liquid, solid or gas. Common units used to express
volume include liters and cubic meters.
o Moles (n) – A mole is the amount of pure substance containing the same
number of chemical units as there are atoms in exactly 12 grams of
carbon-12 (i.e., 6.023 X 1023).
o
Relationship of Variables
  V  T n
P  Inversely proportional Directly proportional No change

V  Directly proportional No change

T  Directly proportional
No change
   

1 
 
 Equations Representing Relationships:

Dalton’s Law of Partial

Ptotal = P1 + P2 + P3 ...
Pressure

P1V1 = P2V2 Boyle’s Law

V1 / T1 = V2 / T2 Charles’ Law

V1 / n1 = V2 / n2 Avogadro's Law

P1 / T1 = P2 / T2 Gay-Lussac’s Law

P1V1 / T1 = P2V2 / T2 Combined Gas Law

PV = nRT
R = 8.3145 L kPa/mol K or Ideal Gas Law
R= 0.08206 L atm/mol K

 
Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP):  
Standard temperature is defined as zero degrees Celsius (0 0C), which translates to 32 
degrees Fahrenheit (32 0F) or 273.15 degrees Kelvin. Standard pressure is 101.325 kPa, 
1 atmosphere (1 atm) or 760 millimeters in a mercurial barometer (760 mmHg) or 760 
torrs. 

Pressure and Kinetic Molecular Theory Notes

What is pressure?

What is force? You can think of it like weight or like a push. How much does your body
push on the floor? How much do you have to push to move something across the floor?
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 Liquids and solids exert pressure.
Ex: Diving, your body is under more pressure when under water than when
above it.
If you are trapped under a piece of furniture you feel the pressure of the
furniture on you.
What does area have to do with it?
Could you sleep on a bed of nails? How about just one nail?
Carpenters…why are screws pointy at the end instead of flat?
The same force over a smaller area results in a higher pressure.

Gas pressure is similar but hard to visualize.

KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY
1. Gases have a very small _attraction to each other__
2. Gases are constantly in motion at high speeds in random but straight line
paths
3. Gases experience no real_ attractions between other gas molecules.
a. All collisions between particles in a gas are
perfectly elastic.
i. No attractive or repulsive forces
ii. No transfer of Kinetic Energy
iii. The average Kinetic Energy is
dependent only on _temperature_

4. The speed of a gas molecule is directly proportional to its mass and speed.
a. As the temperature increases, the speed of the gas molecule KE=½ mV 2 
increases. 
 
These assumptions are good for IDEAL gases and are used quite often with little
error. However, when one needs to be exact that you must account for the fact that
REAL gases
 Have volume
 Experience electrostatic attractions

3 
 
 For Introductory Chemistry, though, we will just deal with Ideal gases.

Pressure is the sum of all the forces of all the gas molecules colliding with a surface.
Gas particles are in constant random motion exerting pressure as they collide
with the walls of the container. Therefore, the more _ collisions, the higher
the pressure.

Gases have certain properties that can be explained by the KMT.

1) Low Density they have small volume_ because the molecules are moving at a
high rate of speed and are not held back by electrostatic attractions as well as being
spread out, they have low density.
2) Compressibility, they can be easy to compress because the molecules have
space between them, unlike liquids and solids where there is little space between
the molecules
3) Expansion, they will _spread__ given the opportunity because the molecules are
moving at a high rate of speed.
4) Diffusion they will spread out, again because the
molecules are moving at a high rate of speed,
a. Example: perfume diffusing through air
b. Example: Liquids also diffuse: food coloring in water

5) Effusion, molecules moving at a high rate of speed will

eventually “collide” with a hole and escape.
a. Effusion is gas escaping through a hole,
b. Example: air escaping through a hole in your tire
 
 
1. The word kinetic comes from a Greek word that means “to move.” The kinetic molecular theory
is based upon the assumption that particles of matter (atoms or molecules) are in constant
motion
2. Of the three states of matter, which one has
the most kinetic energy? gas
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 3. Which state of matter has particles that are separated by the largest distance? gas

4. A scientific theory is an explanation of some type of natural phenomena. Theories are

normally developed from careful study of the way the world behaves. Let’s look at how gases
behave and see if the kinetic molecular theory makes sense.
5. Compared to liquids and solids, gases tend to have lower densities. This can be
explained because the particles of gas are far apart in constant motion___.

 
Units of pressure
 Kilopascals = SI units of pressure, named after scientist Pascal
 Torr = named after scientist Torricelli
 mmHg = millimeters of mercury, comes from old way of measuring pressure by
the height of a column of mercury open to atmosphere
 atm = atmosphere, unit most often used in chemistry. One atmosphere is what we
feel experience every day. It is the standard pressure on earth.
 psi = pounds per square inch. Most often used in real life (tire pressure)

 
Gas Laws Notes
Steps to Solve any Gas Law Problem:
o Step 1: Write everything you are given in the problem.
o Step 2: Which law do you want to use? (What remains constant?)
o Step 3: Do your units match? If not, convert. (Temperature must always
be in Kelvin)
o Step 4: Plug in your values and solve.

 Boyle's Law

P1V1 = P2V2

o As the pressure decreases, the volume increases.

o Indirectly proportional
o Temperature remains constant
Example Problem: A balloon contains 30.0 L of helium gas at 1 atmosphere, and it rises
to an altitude where the pressure is only 0.25 atm, assuming the temperature remains
constant, what is the volume of the balloon at its new pressure?

P1 = 1 atm P1V1 = P2V2

V1 = 30.0 L (1 atm)(30.0 L) = (0.25 atm)x
P2 = 0.25 atm
5 
 
 V2 = x (1 atm)(30.0 L) = (0.25 atm)x
(0.25 atm) (0.25 atm)

X = 120 L

 Charles' Law
V1 = V2
T1 T2

o Lower temperature leads to a lower volume

o Higher temperature leads to a higher volume
o Directly proportional
o Temperature must be converted to Kelvin
o Pressure remains constant

Example Problem: A balloon inflated in a room at 24OC has a volume of 4.00 L. The
balloon is then heated to a temperature of 58OC what is the new volume if the pressure
remains constant?
V1 = V2 V1=4.00 L
T1 T2 T1=24OC + 273 = 297 K
4.00 L = x .
V2=x
297 K 331 K
X = 4.46 L T2=58OC+ 273 = 331 K 

 Gay-Lussac's Law
P1 = P2
T1 T2
o Temperature always in Kelvin Scale
o Volume remains constant
Example Problem: Aerosol cans carry labels warning not to store them above a certain
temperature. The gas in a used aerosol can is at a pressure of 1atm at 25oC. If the can is
thrown into a fire, what will the pressure be when the temperature reaches 1201oC?
P1 = P2
T1 T2 P1=1 atm
T1=25OC + 273 = 298 K
1 atm = . x .
298K 1474 K P2=x
T2=1201OC+ 273 =1474 K 
(1474 K)(1 atm) = (298 K)x
(298 K) (298 K)
4.95 atm = x

6 
 
  The Combined Gas Law
P1V1 = P2V2
T1 T2

o No variable remains constant

o Temperature always in Kelvin Scale
Example Problem: The volume of a gas filled balloon is 30.0L at 313 K and has a
pressure of 153 kPa. What would the volume be at standard temperature and pressure
(STP)? P =153 kPa
1
P1V1 = P2V2 T1=313 K
T1 T2 V1 =30.0 L
(153 kPa) (30.0L) = (101.325kPa)(x)
P2= 101.325 kPa
313 K 273 K
39.5 L = x V2=x
Remember Avogadro’s Law T2=273 K 

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Gas Laws Practice:

1) A chemist collects 59.0 mL of sulfur dioxide gas on a day when the atmospheric
pressure is 0.989 atm. On the next day, the pressure has changed to 0.967 atm.
What will the volume of the SO2 gas on the second day?

P1V1 = P2V2
(0.989 atm)(0.0590 L) = (0.967 atm) x
0.0603422958 L = x
0.0603 L = x

2) A can contains a gas with a volume of 56 mL and 20.0 °C. What is the volume in
the can if it is heated to 50.0 °C?
V1 = V2
T1 T2
0.056 L = . x .
293 K 323 K
0.0617337884 L = x
0.0617 L = x

3) A gas with a volume of 4.0L at a pressure of 90.0 kPa is allowed to expand until
the pressure drops to 20.0 kPa. What is the new volume?

P1V1 = P2V2

(90.0 kPa)(4.0L)=(20.0 kPa)x

18 L= x

4) At a winter carnival, a balloon is filled with 5.00 L of helium at a temperature of

273 K. What will be the volume of the balloon when it is brought into a warm
house at 295 K?
V1 = V2
T1 T2

5.00 L = . x .
273 K 295 K

5.40 L = x

8 
 
 5) The initial temperature of a 1.00 liter sample of argon is 20.0° C. The pressure is decreased from
720 mm Hg to 360 mm Hg and the volume increases to 2.14 liters. What was the change in
temperature of the argon?
P1V1 = P2V2
T1 T2

(720 mm Hg)(1.00 L) = (360 mm Hg)(2.14 L)

293 K x

310 K = x

6) 2.2 L of hydrogen at 6.5 atm pressure is used to fill a balloon at a final pressure of 1.15 atm.
What is its final volume?

P1V1 = P2V2
(6.5 atm)(2.2 L) = (1.15 atm) x

12 L = x

7) The pressure in an automobile tire is 200. kPa at a temperature of 25°C. At the end of a journey
on a hot sunny day the pressure has risen to 223 kPa. What is the temperature of the air in the
tire?

P1 = P2
T1 T2
200. kPa = 223 kPa
298 K x

330 K = x

8) A sample of argon has a volume of 5.00 L and the pressure is 0.920 atm. If the final
temperature is 30.0° C, the final volume is 5.7 L, and the final pressure is 800. mm Hg, what
was the initial temperature of the argon?

P1V1 = P2V2
T1 T2
** must have the same units for pressure! Remember 1 atm = 760 mmHg
so 800 mmHg 1 atm = 1.05 atm
760 mmHg

(0.920 atm)(5.00 L) = (1.05 atm)(5.7 L)

x 303 K

x= 230 K
   

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 Ideal Gas Law and Dalton’s Law Notes

 Ideal Gas Law

PV = nRT

∗ ∗ ∗
R = 0.0821 = 8.315 = 62.4
∗ ∗ ∗
o To determine which R value to use, look at your unit of ____PRESSURE____
o If gases follow the Kinetic Molecular Theory, they are said to be ideal gases.
o Although there is no such thing as an ideal gas, the theory still provides a good model to
explain gas properties (P,V, T)
 o
At 34 C, the pressure inside a nitrogen filled tennis ball with a volume of 0.148 L is 212 kPa.
How many moles of nitrogen gas are in the tennis ball?

PV = nRT
∗
(212 kPa)(0.148 L) = n (8.315 )(307 K)
∗
0.0123 mol = n

 A deep underground cavern contains 2.24 x106 L of methane gas (CH4) at a pressure of
1.50x103 kPa and a temperature of 315 K. How many kilograms of methane does the cavern
contain?
First find moles then grams then kilograms
PV = nRT
∗
(1.50x103 kPa)(2.24 x106 L) = n (8.315 )(315 K)
∗
n = 1.28 x 106 mol

Now with moles convert to grams

1.28 x 106 mol of CH4 16.05 g of CH4 = 2.06 x 107 g of CH4
1 mol of CH4

Now with grams convert to kilograms

2.06 x 107 g of CH4 1 kg of CH4 = 2.06 x 104 kg of CH4
1000 g of CH4

Ideal Gasses vs. Real Gasses

Ideal Gas assumptions:
‐ No volume
‐ No attractive forces between particles of gas
There is no gas which exhibits these qualities, but there are many conditions which real gasses
behave the same as an ideal gas.
Real gasses differ most from an ideal gas at low temperatures and high pressures.

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  Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures
o The total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is the sum of the individual of each gas
o Each individual gas behaves as if it were independent of the others.

Ptotal=P1+P2+P3+…

o For example, if two gases such as oxygen and nitrogen are present in a flask and Pnitrogen
= 250 mmHg and Poxygen = 3.0x102 mmHg, then the total pressure is 550 mmHg.
Pnitrogen + Poxygen = Ptotal
250 mmHg + 3.0x102 mmHg = 550 mmHg
250 mmHg + 300 mmHg = 550 mmHg
 If CO2 gas is collected over water at 25 oC at atmospheric pressure (1.00 atm), and the partial
pressure of water vapor at 25 oC is 0.54 atm. What is the partial pressure of the dry gas?
PCO2 + PH2O = Ptotal
PCO2 +0.54 atm = 1.00 atm
PCO2 = 1.00 atm ─ 0.54 atm
PCO2 = 0.46 atm

o Mole Fraction (X) – the ratio of the number of moles of a given component in a
mixture to the number of moles in the mixture.
o At constant volume and temperature, mole ratios and pressure ratios mean the same
thing.
 The partial pressure of oxygen was observed to be 156 torrs in the air with an atmospheric
pressure of 743 torrs. Calculate the mole fraction of oxygen present.
number of moles / number of moles = Mole Fraction
156 torr / 743 torrs = 0.210

   

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 Ideal Gas Law and Dalton’s Law Practice:
1. How many moles of air molecules are contained in a 2.00 L flask at 98.9 atm and 245 K?

PV = nRT n= PV = (98.9 atm) (2.00 L)

∗
RT (0.0821 ∗ ) (245K)

n = 9.83 mol
2. How many moles of gas are contained in 51.41 liters at 101.325 kPa and 0°C?
PV = nRT n= PV = (101.325 kPa) (51.41 L)
∗
RT (8.315 ∗ ) (273K)

n=2.295 mol

3. How many moles of gases are contained in a can with a volume of 800.0 mL and a pressure of 600.0
atm at 20 °C?
PV = nRT n= PV = (600.0 atm) (0.8000 L)
∗
RT (0.0821 ) (293K)
∗

n= 19.95 mol

4. Find the total pressure for a mixture that contains four gases with partial pressures of 0.39 kPa, 0.53
kPa,0.73 kPa,0.72 kPa.
Ptotal= 0.39 kPa + 0.53 kPa + 0.73 kPa + 0.72 kPa

Ptotal = 2.37 kPa

5. Hydrogen gas is collected over water at 25ºC; the atmospheric pressure and the partial pressure of
water vapor at 25 ºC is 3.17 kPa. What is the partial pressure of the hydrogen? Hint: if a reaction is
conducted at atmospheric pressure, than that is the total pressure.
(pressure of water vapor at 25 oC is 0.54 atm)

Ptotal = PH2 + PH2O

3.17 kPa= PH2 + 0.54 kPa

PH2 = 3.17 kPa ─ 0.54 kPa

PH2 = 2.63 kPa

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 Atmospheric pressure is measure using a
Barometer

 The pressure of a gas is measured using a

Manometer

 As you increase in elevation the atmospheric pressure

decreases (Olympic Training in Denver).
 

 
 

o A Manometer is a device to measure the pressure of an enclosed gas 
sample. A common simple manometer consists of a U shaped tube of glass 
filled with some liquid. Typically the liquid is mercury because of its high 
density. 
o The height difference determines the pressure.  

 
 
 
Avogadro’s Law: under the same condition of Temperature and Pressure, equal
volumes of all gases contain the same number of particles.
   

13 
 
Calculate the pressure inside each flask, given an atmospheric pressure of

760 mmHg.
 

The gas in the flask has a higher pressure The gas in the flask has a lower pressure
than 760 mmHg. The pressure is than 760 mmHg. The pressure is
760 mmHg + 200 mmHg = 960 mmHg. 760 mmHg ̶ 350 mmHg = 410 mmHg.
 

Unit 9 Review: Gas Laws 

See Separate Key 

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