Ideal Gas Law Problems
Ideal Gas Law Problems
Ideal Gas Law Problems
Ideal Gas Law problems use possibly several equations, but in reality one needs to concentrate
on two equations:
A)
B)
PV = NRT
P1 V1
T1
P2 V2
T2
The secret to identifying which of these two equations to utilize involves the information
presented or requested, involves moles or grams of material if that information is identified,
then one must use PV=NRT (also only one set of conditions will be provided).
Otherwise, use
P1 V1
T1
P1 V1
In order to solve
T1
P2 V2
T2
P2 V2
T2
1. Make sure you have identified that the format of the problem is not simplified by the
statement constant temperature, pressure, or volume.
If so, the equations are simplified as those statements translate to T1=T2, P1=P2, V1=V2
and equations are simplified as follows:
V
V
P
P
P1V1=P2V2, T1 = T2 , T1 = T2
1
P1
P2
V1
T1
V2
T2
For PV = NRT
P
R
.082
5. Then rewrite the equation so that the variable being solved for is isolated by itself so
that the calculator error can be minimized.
i. Example:
P1 V1
T1
P2 V2
T2
Solve for T2
T1
P1 V1
= P V2
2 2
and T2 =
T1 P2 V2
P1 V1
6. STP means standard temperature (C, 273K) and (1 atm, 760 torr) pressure
Sample Problem #1
A sample of a gas in a cylindrical chamber with a movable piston occupied a volume of 6.414
liters when the pressure was 850 torr and the temperature was 27.2 C. The temperature was
readjusted to 65.5 C while the load on the piston was kept constant to keep the pressure
constant in the system. What was the volume occupied by the sample at the new
temperature?
a. 2.66 liters
b. 4.689 liters
c. 7.21 liters
d. 7.232 liters
e. 15.4 liters
Steps to solve this problem:
1. Constant pressure means that P1=P2=850 torr and equation
V1
T1
P1 V1
T1
P2 V2
T2
is modified to be
= T2
2
(6.414L)(338.5K)
(300.2 K)
V2 = 7.23 liters
If you get 7.21 liters, check to see that you calculator floating point is at least 4.
2
Sample Problem #2
A sample of gas was isolated in a gas containment bulb on a manifold used in this type work.
The volume of the bulb was 1.524 liters. The temperature was 28.4 C, and the manifold
pressure was 637.6 torr. What volume, in liters, would this gas sample occupy at STP?
a. 1.069 liters
b. 1.158 liters
c. 1.412 liters
d. 1.645 liters
e. 2.006 liters
Steps to solve this problem:
1. No constant temperature, pressure, or volume is stated. STP means T=0C and P=1 atm
or 760 torr.
P V
PV
2. Use 1T 1 = 2T 2 since no moles or weight is specified. Convert T1 and T2 to Kelvin using
1
1 2
Now solve
(637.6)(1.524)(273)
V1 =
(760)(301.4)
V1 = 1.158 liters
To solve PV=NRT problems one must follow these steps:
1. Because the R constant requires that information be in atm (P) and liters (V), one must
first convert, if necessary, existing problem information to atm (P) and liters (V).
2. Convert T degrees to Kelvin by using the equation T K=T C + 273
3. Rewrite the equation so that a single variable is solved for. From PV = NRT
NRT
NRT
PV
PV
P= V , V= P , N= RT , and T= NR are possible combinations to be used
depending on the variable you are solving for.
4. Recognize that N=moles of either unknown gas or known gas. If you are given grams or
gas, you must convert to moles of gas by dividing the grams given by the molecular
weight of the gas.
grams
5. If the gas has an unknown molecular weight, you must use the N =
grams
molecular weight
formula and rewrite it so that molecular weight = N if the problem requires that
information.
6. Finally, check the problems suggested answer to make sure your answer does not have
to be reconverted to mL, torr, etc.
3
Indian River State College, ASC
11-9-10, rev 7/23/12, 12/2/13
Disk III (71)
Sample Problem #3
What volume would 11.2 g of a gaseous compound occupy at STP if the molecular weight of the
compound is 44.0 g/mole and the substance behaves as an ideal gas?
a. 5.6 liters
b. 11.0 liters
c. 11.2 liters
d. 22.4 liters
e. 44.0 liters
Steps to solve this problem:
1. STP P = 1 atm
2. T = 273 C
NRT
3. PV=NRT V=
4. N=
5. V=
11.2
=.254
44
(.254)(.082)(273)
1
= 5.69
Sample Problem #4
A gas sample weighing 4.48 grams occupies a volume of 2.15 liters at STP. What is the apparent
molecular mass of the sample?
a. 9.63 g mol-1
b. 10.8 g mol-1
c. 46.7 g mol-1
d. 113 g mol-1
e. 216 g mol-1
Steps to solve this problem:
1. STP P = 1 atm, T = 0 C
2. Tk = TC + 273 = 273
PV
3. PV=NRT N= RT
(1)(2.15)
4. N= (.082)(273) =.096
5. N=
grams
M.W.
, M.W.=
grams
N
4.48
= .096 = 46.7
4
Indian River State College, ASC
11-9-10, rev 7/23/12, 12/2/13
Disk III (71)