GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1

Quarter 1 / Module 6 / Week 6

Ideal Gas

Introduction

Certain hair spray products are packaged in aerosol cans. Serious accidents could
occur if you throw the empty cans into the fire because the pressurized gas could explode.
These cans usually have a printed warning such as “Do not puncture or incinerate” but users
seldom read what is on the label.
A gas that behaves exactly as described by the gas laws is called an ideal gas. Many
gases, especially at high pressure or low temperatures do not behave quite ideally, hence
they are called real gases. When do gases behave ideally?
In this module, we will try to learn more about gases, and how they behave.

Learning Competencies

- Use the ideal gas equation to calculate pressure, volume, temperature, or

number of moles of a gas

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to

- State and illustrate the Ideal Gas law
- Solve problems related to the ideal gas

Let’s Recall
Instructions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letters only.

Column A Column B
1. Relationship between pressure and volume a. Combined Gas Law
2. Volume, pressure, and temperature b. Gay-Lussac’s Law
3. Volume-temperature relationship c. Boyle’s Law
4. Pressure-temperature relationship d. Charles’ Law
5. Volume-moles relationship e. Avogadro’s law

Let’s Understand

If we combine the relationships expressing Boyle’s Law,

V  1 / P,

Charles’ Law,
V T
and Avogadro’s law
Vn

where (n stands for the number of moles of gas), we obtain the relationship:

V  nT / P.

By introducing a constant, this relationship can be expressed as the equation V = RnT/P,

and further simplified we get

PV = nRT

where R is called the universal gas constant. The equation above is known as the Ideal Gas
Equation. The value of the universal gas constant, R is 0.08206 L . atm/mol K. Therefore, it
si important to remember that the unit for temperature should always be in the absolute
scale and that the volume for gases should be in liters (L).

Checkpoint

What is the volume of 1 mole of an ideal gas at STP?

Answer: 22.4 L. Substitute the values for STP (1 atm and 273 K) and see for
yourself. 22.4 L is the volume of a mole of any gas at standard conditions. This is
called the molar volume of an ideal gas.

A chemist named Amadeo Avogadro studied the properties of many different gases.
In 1811, he concluded that equal volumes of all gases, when measured under the same
conditions of temperature and pressure, always contain the same number of molecules. This
relationship, V  n, is known as the Avogadro’s Law, which you encountered at the beginning
of the lesson. It is very useful because it tells us that one mole of an ideal gas (it does not
matter which type of gas!) at STP will always occupy 22.4 L.

Checkpoint

Is the following statement true or false? “The density of a gas varies with temperature
and pressure.”

Answer: True. Notice that the ideal gas equation can be rearranged as: n/V = RT/P.
n is number of moles, obtained by dividing mass in grams by the molar mass, M.
Substituting m/M. gives us the equation m/V = PM/ RT. Obviously, m/V is mass
divided by volume, also known as density. Thus, density is directly proportional to P
and inversely proportional to T.
As implied in the equation above, the density of the gas is also proportional to its
molar mass. Thus, He gas (molar mass = 4 g/mol) is less dense than O 2 gas (molar mass =
32 g/mol).

Let’s Apply
Instructions: Solve completely by showing your solutions.
1. What pressure will be exerted by 0.500 mole gas in a 4.50-Lcontainer at 20.0
degrees Celsius?

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 2. Calculate the molar mass of a gas if 6.00 grams of this gas occupy a 2.50-L
container at 50 degrees Celsius with a pressure of 1atm.
3. Calculate the volume of a 0.600 mole gas at 50 degrees Celsius and with 2.2 atm
pressure.
Let’s Analyze
Explain the following briefly but thoroughly.
1. When will gases behave ideally?

2. What is the difference between real gases and ideal gases? Cite some
characteristic behaviors comparing the two.

Day 2
Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures

Introduction

We know that air is everywhere around us. From our previous lessons, we noted that
air is also a mixture composed of several different gases some of which are diatomic elements
like nitrogen and oxygen to name a few. Different gases have different molecular weights and
so the question is, do this mixture of gases exert the same amount of pressure? Let us find
out!

Learning Competency
- Use Dalton’s law of partial pressures to relate mole fraction and partial
pressure of gases in a mixture

Learning Objectives
- State Dalton’s law of partial pressures
- Relate partial pressures of gases to mole fraction

Let’s Recall (Pretest)

Instructions: Unlock the following terms. Write a brief description of each.
1. Mole
_____________________________________________________________
2. Pressure
__________________________________________________________
3. Gas mixture
________________________________________________________
4. Mole Fraction
_______________________________________________________
5. Partial Pressure
_____________________________________________________

Let’s Understand
Aside from the Atomic Theory of Matter, John Dalton also work on the behavior
of gases. From his studies, he came up with what is now known as the Law of Partial
Pressures. This law states that:

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 “The total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the
individual pressures of the gases in the mixture.” Mathematically, this is represented
as
Pt = P1 + P2 + P3 + ….
Where
Pt – the total pressure of the gas mixture
P1 – Partial pressure of Gas 1
P2 – Partial pressure of Gas 2
P3 – Partial Pressure of Gas 3

According to the kinetic molecular theory of gases, a gas will diffuse in a

container to fill up the space and there is no force of attraction between the gas
molecules. This means that the mixture of gases is far apart and that they act
independently. As a result, each of the component gas exert pressure brought about
by the collisions of its molecules with the container. Thus, a gas can fill the container
without affecting the pressure of another gas in the mixture. Consider the simple
problem below.

Sample Problem: A container contains a mixture of four gases. The pressure exerted by
oxygen is 360 mm Hg, nitrogen exerts a pressure of 560 mm Hg, carbon dioxide exerts a
pressure of 167 mm Hg. What is the pressure exerted by an unknown gas if the total pressure
is 1560 mm Hg?

Solution: Given PO2 = 360 mm Hg PCO2 = 167 mm Hg P4 = ?

PN2 = 560 mm Hg Pt = 1 560 mm Hg

Working Equation P4 = Pt - (P1 + P2 + P3)

= 1 560 mm Hg (360 + 560 + 167) mm Hg
= 473 mm Hg (the pressure of the unknown gas)

So how do we know which gas exerts the greatest partial pressure? If you have gas
molecules in a container, the more molecules there in a container, the more collisions will
happen therefore, the higher the pressure. Then it follows that the pressure of a gas is related
to the number of molecules that gas has. In a mixture of gases, the component gas that has
the greatest number of particles will exert the greatest pressure.
Remember that in the Ideal Gas Equation, PV = nRT, we can determine the number
of particles that gas has. In the equation, this is represented by the number of moles (n).
Rearranging the equation to solve for n, then we will have
n = PV / RT and consequently, P = nRT / V
Reassigning n to be the number of moles of the first component gases, then it follows
that in a mixture of three gases for example,
n1 = P1V / RT (number of moles and pressure of Gas 1)
n2 = P2V / RT (number of moles and pressure of Gas 2)
n3 = P3V / RT (number of moles and pressure of Gas 3)
Therefore, the total pressure can also be written as
Pt = (n1 + n2 + n2) RT/V
(since temperature and volume are the same for all component
gases)
If we get the total number of moles (nt) of the gas mixture then,
nt = n1 + n2 + n3 + …. then, we can now get the mole fraction (X) of each
component gas.
X1 = n 1 / n t

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 X2 = n 2 / n t
X3 = n 3 / n t
Whichever has the higher mole fraction exerts the greatest pressure in a mixture of gas.
Therefore, if the total pressure is given, the partial pressures exerted by each component gas
is equal to the total pressure times the mole fraction of the respective component gas.
P1 = X1Pt (partial pressure of Gas 1)
P2 = X2Pt (partial pressure of Gas 2)
P3 = X3Pt (partial pressure of Gas 3)

Sample Problem: A mixture of gas is composed of 64 g of oxygen, 42 g of nitrogen and 8

grams of hydrogen. What are the partial pressures of each gas if the total pressure inside the
container is 150 mm Hg (assuming that the mixture is placed in the same container at constant
temperature)

Solution: Since you are given the masses of each gas, then solve for the number of moles of
each by diving them by their respective molar masses.
nO2 = 64 g / 32 g/mol = 2 moles O2
nN2 = 42 g / 28 g/mol = 1.5 moles N2
nH2 = 8 g / 2 g/mol = 4 moles H2 (we expect this gas to have the greatest
pressure)

Compute for the mole fraction of each component gas.

XO2 = 2 moles / (2 moles + 1.5 moles + 4 moles) = 0.27
XN2 = 1.5 moles / (2 moles + 1.5 moles + 4 moles) = 0.2
XH2 = 4 moles / (2 moles + 1.5 moles + 4 moles) = 0.53

So the partial pressures of each component gas is

PO2 = 0.27 (150 mm Hg) = 40.5 mm Hg
PN2 = 0.2 (150 mm Hg) = 30 mm Hg
PH2 = 0.53 (150 mm Hg) = 79.5 mm Hg (indeed, this has the highest pressure)

Let’s Apply!
Instructions: Solve completely. Show your solutions.
1. A container contains a mixture of nitrogen gas at 400 torr, oxygen gas at
110 torr and helium gas at 220 torr. What is the total pressure of the gas
mixture in mm Hg?
2. What is the total pressure in atmosphere of a gas mixture containing
argon gas at 0.28 atm, helium gas at 280 mm Hg and nitrogen gas at 390
torr?

Let’s Analyze!
Instructions: Challenge yourself by solving the following completely.
1. Oxygen gas occupies 500 mL at 200C and 760 mm Hg. If the total pressure of
another container is at 750 mm Hg, what volume will it occupy if it is collected over a
water vapor at 300C at 31.8 mm Hg?
2. The total pressure of a mixture of gas is 800 torr. What are the partial
pressures of the component gases comprising 80 g carbon dioxide, 32 g ammonia
and 80 g oxygen?

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 Days 3 & 4
Diffusion and Effusion of Gases

Introduction
If someone opens a bottle of perfume at one end of a room, a person at the other end
of the room soon smells the scent of the perfume. Why? The vapors from the perfume mix
with the air inside the room and spread out evenly and slowly throughout the room. This is a
direct demonstration of the random motion of vapor molecules of the perfume, which is
provided by diffusion.
In this lesson, we will learn more about the diffusion and effusion of gases.

Learning Competency
- Relate the rate of gas effusion with molar mass
-
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate diffusion and effusion of gases
- Explain Graham’s law for diffusion and effusion of gases
- Solve by computing word problems related to Graham’s Law

Let’s Recall (Pretest)

Instructions: Write true if the statement is correct and false if otherwise. Write your
answers on your answer sheet.
1. The temperature of gases directly affects the kinetic energy of its molecules.
2. At constant temperature and pressure, the kinetic energies of gases are the
same
3. Lighter gases will diffuse faster than heavier ones.
4. The time for lighter gases to diffuse is equal for heavier gases.
5. Diffusion is the same concept as effusion of gases.

Let’s Understand

Jacques So what is diffusion? Diffusion is the gradual mixing of the molecules of one gas with
the molecules of another gas because of their kinetic energies. The diffusion process takes a
relatively long period of time to complete. It will take some time before a person at the other
end of the room can smell the perfume scent. Why is that so? You see, the molecules of a
perfume experience numerous collisions with the other air molecules in the room while moving
from one end of the room to the other.
Diffusion of gases always happens gradually, and not instantly as molecular speeds
seem to suggest. Furthermore, since the average speed of light gas molecules is greater than
the average speed of heavier gas molecules, a lighter gas will diffuse through a certain space
faster than a heavier one. How do gas molecules pass through a small tiny opening or pinhole
of a container?
If a gas container has a tiny opening, gas molecules inside the container gradually
escape from the container. Since gas molecules are in constant motion, they randomly strike
the tiny opening and pass through the pinholes. This behavior of gas is called effusion.
Effusion can be utilized to determine the leakage of a certain gas container like the L.P.G.
tank that we use in cooking.
In 1829, a Scottish chemist named Thomas Graham experimented with the diffusion

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and effusion of gases. He discovered that gas molecules with high velocity diffuse or effuse
faster than molecules with low velocity. But what determines the velocity of gas molecules?
Graham also discovered that when the temperature and pressure of gases are equal, their
velocities are determined by the mass of their particles. He proposed the Graham’s law of
diffusion /effusion as follows:
Under conditions of equal temperature and pressure, the rates of effusion or diffusion
of two gases are inversely proportional to the square roots of their molar masses.
Mathematically, it can be expressed as

RA MB Where: RA = rate of effusion/diffusion of gas A

= RB = rate of effusion/diffusion of gas B
RB MA
MA = molar mass of gas A
MB = molar mass of gas B

Put simply, Graham’s law of diffusion/effusion assumes that gas particles with a lower
molar mass (lighter one) diffuse or effuse faster than those having high molar mass (heavier
gas).

Application of Graham’s Law of Diffusion/Effusion of Gases:

At 250C, the average speed of oxygen molecule is 482 m/s. Find the average speed of a
hydrogen molecule at the same temperature. Which gas will diffuse faster using the
relationship of relative rates of diffusion of gases to their molar masses? We know that H 2 has
2g/mole and O2 has 32g/mole. Since H2 has a lighter molar mass, does it mean that H 2 will
diffuse faster?

RH 2 32 g/mole
= = 3.984
RO 2 2.016 g/mole
RH2 M O2
= →
RO 2 MH2
RH 2
= 4 (H2 diffuses 4 times as fast as O2 )
RO 2

Solving for the rate of diffusion of H2 if rate of diffusion of O2 is 482 m/s;

R H2 = 3.984  482m/s = 1.92  103 m/s

Furthermore, based on the definition of rate of motion of gas particles (rate of

effusion/diffusion) and the distance traveled by gas molecules per unit time (R=d/t), Graham’s
law of diffusion /effusion can be simplified as:
RA MB
=
RB MA

dA / t A M
= B
dB /t B MA

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 1/ t A MB
If the distance traveled by the 2 gases are the same; d A = dB = .Furthermore,
1/ tB MA

tB MB
= tu
t Ar
=
Mu
MAr
tA MA
Mu
=
(45) 2

Where: tB = time it takes for gas B to diffuse/ MAr (26)2

effuse the same distance as gas A
tA = time it takes for gas A to diffuse/ Mu
= 2.996
effuse the same distance as gas B MAr

Do you know that you can identify the molar M u = MAr  2.996
mass of an unknown gas by using the
relationship of time of effusion / diffusion of = 39.95 g/mole  2.996
gases to their molar masses?
Molar mass of unknown gas = M u = 119.67 g / mole

Suppose that an experiment on effusion

is performed to identify the molar mass of an unknown gas. It requires 45 seconds for a certain
amount of an unknown gas to pass through a pinhole into a vacuum under the same condition.
On the other hand, it only takes 26 seconds for the same amount of Argon (Ar) to effuse. With
the given values, find the molar mass of the unknown gas. Use the relation of time of effusion
and molar mass of gases:

Let’s Apply
Directions: Read each item carefully and solve completely Show your solution.

1. Helium gas (a gas that enables the balloon to float in air) effuses 2.0 times faster
than another gas. What is the molar mass of the other gas?
2. Which of the following is most likely to be the unknown gas in problem no. 1?
a.CH4 c. CO2
b.NO2 d. NH4

Let’s Evaluate (Assessment)

Instructions: Answer each part as directed. Use your answer sheet.

1.Calculate the partial pressures of the components of a gas mixture composed of

44 g carbon dioxide, 2.5 moles carbon monoxide and 48 g methane in a constant
volume vessel at 130 mm Hg and 300C.
2. Two gases, CH4 and hydrogen gas are allowed to effuse through a porous
wall of a container in two separate experiments. Which gas will effuse faster?
How many times faster?

Let’s Create!
Research for at least 2 practical applications of the gas laws explained in this module.
Create a 3-minute audio-visual presentation with you presenting and explaining the
concepts involved. Refer to the rubric for grading.

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