GASEOUS STATE 1

GASEOUS STATE

1. Introduction
A given substance may occur in solid, liquid or gaseous phase depending upon the relative
value of two tendencies namely Mutual Attraction (MA) and Escaping Tendency (ET)
(i) if MA is greater than ET then substance will occur in solid state
(ii) if MA is slightly greater than ET then substance will occur in liquid state
(iii) if MA is very much less than ET then substance will occur in gaseous state
Out of the three states of matter, the most simplest one is the gaseous state.
The state is characterized by sensitivity of volume change with change of pressure and
temperature. It is due to large distance between molecules as compared to their own dimensions.
There exist weak Vander Waal's forces, molecules move independent of each other with speed
about 400 ms–1.
Gases show maximum equality in their behavior irrespective of their nature.

2. Measurable properties of gases

1. Mass
Def. The gases do possess mass. The mass of gas is generally used in the form of number of moles
which is related as
wt. in gm  w
(i) no. of moles = n  
molecular mass of gases  M
Two other useful formulae to calculate number of moles of gas are –

no. of molecules of given gas  N 

 n  
N A 
(ii) number of moles =
Avogadro' s number of molecules 
volume of given gas in litres at STP
(iii) no. of moles =
22 .4 L
When container contains more than one gas then molecular mass of mixture is termed as effective
molecular mass (EMM) which is intermediate between molecular masses of all the gases present
in the container.
Total mass of all the gases present in the container
Effective molecular mass =
Total no. of moles of all gases present in the container

2. Volume
Def. Volume of gas is nothing but volume of the container in which it is present.
Relation between different units of volume
1 m3 = 103 dm3 = 103 litre =106 cm3 = 106 ml = 109 mm3.

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 GASEOUS STATE

3. Temperature
Def. Degree of hotness or coldness of a body is measured by temperature
C K  273 F  32
100 = 100 = 180
C – Celcius scale, K – Kelvin scale, F – Fahrenheit scale
Note : In all the problems of gaseous state (i.e. in all gas law equations), temperature must be
expressed in kelvin scale. i.e. , t °C + 273 = TK

4. Pressure
Def. Force acting per unit area
P= A F

Units :
CGS : dyne/cm2
MKS : Newton/m2 (1N/m2 = 1Pa)
Relation : 1 N/m2 = 10 dyne/cm2

Units of pressure :
1 atm = 76 cm of Hg
= 760 mm of Hg
= 760 torr
= 1.01325×105 N/m 2
= 101.325 kPa
= 1.01325 bar
= 14.7 lb/In2 (Psi)
= 10.33 meters of H 2O

5. Density
Def. Mass per unit volume
d= m v
Units :
CGS : g/cm3
MKS : kg/m3
Relation : 1 kg/m3 = 10–3 g/cm3

Density of gases
Absolute density Relative density
(mass per unit volume) (Relative to hydrogen turned as vapour density)
molecular mass
(i) d= m v (i) VD = 2
(ii) unit : g/l (ii) No unit
(iii) function of temp., pressure, no. of moles (iii) independent of Pressure, Temperature

Note : Mass , volume and no. of moles are extensive properties that depend on mass hence then all
divertly additive in nature.
Note : Density , Pressure and Temperature are intensive properties they does not depend on mass
hence they are non-additive in nature.

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 GASEOUS STATE 3

1. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 Normal body temperature (98ºF) on Celsius scale will be equal to
(A) 188.8ºC (B) 36.67ºC (C) 54.5ºC (D) 98ºC
Q.2 413K temperature on Celsius scale Fahrenheit scale will manifest at, respectively
(A) 140ºC, 252ºF (B) 140ºC, 284ºF (C) 40ºC, 381ºF (D) 486ºC, 140ºF
Q.3 1 bar pressure in is equal to
(A) 0.987 Atm (B) 101.325 Atm (C) 101.325 mmHg (D) 76 mmHg
Q.4 No. of mole of CH4 gas present in 2.4 g of gas are:
(A) .15 (B) 1.5 (C) 15 (D) .015
Q.5 How high a column of air would be necessary to cause the barometer to read 76 cm of Hg, if
the atmosphere were of uniform density 1.2 kg/m 3? The density of Hg = 13.6 × 103 Kg/m3.
(A) 8613 meters (B) 8613 centimeter (C) 8.613 meter (D) 8613 mm
Q.6 How much water can be occupied in the following cube .
5m
5m
10 m

(A) 250 L (B) 2.5×105L (C) 2.5×105 mL (D) 2.5L

Q.7 How much pressure will be felt by a gas balloon which at 100 m depth in a sea form sea level.
(A) 100 Pa (B) 98 Pa (C) 9.8 × 10 5 Pa (D) 1.08 × 10 6 Pa
Q.8 Calculate the pressure of the gas in cm of Hg in each case (liquid used is Hg)

(i) (ii) (iii)

Q.9 Chlorine has two isotopes Cl 35 and Cl37, where % abundance are 75 and 25. Calculate the
average relative atomic mass of chlorine.

Q.10 Calculate the pressure at the point A in :

 = 6.8 g/cm
3
152m

A
(A) N/m2 (B) mm of Hg (C) m of H2O (D) torr (E) atm
Q.11 A beaker of circular cross section radius 4 cm is filled with Hg upto height 10 cm. Find the
force exerted by the mercury on the bottom of the beaker.
Q.12 The liquids shown in the fig. in the two arms are mercury (specific gravity = 13.6) and water. If
the difference of heights of the mercury columns in 2 cm. Find the height h of the water column.

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 GASEOUS STATE

3. The Gas Laws

(i) Boyle’s Law :
It relates the volume and the pressure of a given mass of a gas at constant temperature.
Boyle’s law states that , “at constant temperature, the volume of a sample of a gas varies
inversely with the pressure”.
1
 P  V (when temperature and number of moles are kept constant)
The proportionality can be changed into an equality by introducing a constant k, i.e. ,
P= V k or PV = k

Boyle’s law can be verified by any one of the following three ways graphically.

T em perature-con stan t T em perature-con stan t T em perature-con stan t

M ass-con stan t M ass-con stan t M ass-con stan t

V V PV

P 1/P P
(A ) (B) (C )

Alternatively, Boyle’s law can also be stated as follows :

“Temperature remaining constant , the product of pressure and volume of a given mass of a
gas is constant”.
The value of the constant depends upon the amount of a gas and the temperature.
Mathematically, it can be written as,
P1V1 = P2V2 = P3V3 = ..............
Location of straight line and curve changes with temperature in the isotherm shown in the
following figure.

P T1 P PV
T3
T1 > T2 > T3
T2 T2
T3
T 1 (T 3 > T 2 > T 1 )
T1
T2
T3

1/V V P
(D) (E) (F)

According to Boyle’s law, PV = Constant at constant temperature

 log P + log V = constant
log P = –log V = constant

log P

log V
(G)

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 GASEOUS STATE 5
Illustration 1: A gas is present at a pressure of 2 atm. What should be the increase in
pressure so that the volume of the gas can be decreased to 1/4 th of the initial value if
the temperature is maintained constant.
Solution : PV = constant for a given mass of gas at constant pressure
 P1V1  P2 V2 P1  2atm V1 = V V2 = V/4 P 2 =?
V  P2 = 8 atm
Now, 2  V  P2 
4
 Pressure should be increased from 2 to 8 atm
 total increase = 8 – 2 = 6 atm.

Illustration 2: A sample of gas occupies 10 litre under a pressure of 1 atmosphere. What

will be its volume if the pressure is increased to 2 atmospheres? Assume that the
temperature of the gas sample does not change.
Solution: Mass and temperature is constant hence we can use Boyle’s law
P 1V 1 = P 2V 2
Given P1 = 1 atm, V1 = 10 litre, P 2 = 2 atm, V2 = ?
1 × 10 = 2 × V 2  V2 = 5 litre

2. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 A vessel of 120 cm 3 contains a certain mass of a gas at 20ºC and 750 torr pressure. The gas
was transferred to a vessel of volume 180 cm 3. Calculate the pressure of the gas at the same
temperature.
Q.2 At what pressure, the volume would be 1/3 rd of the volume occupied by a gas under 875 mm
pressure of Hg at 15ºC ? Assume T constant.
Q.3 A sample of gas at room temperature is placed in an evacuated bulb of volume 0.51 dm3 and is
found to exert a pressure of 0.24 atm. The bulb is connected to another evacuated bulb whose
volume is 0.63 dm3. What is the new pressure of the gas at room temperature ?
Q.4 A gaseous system has a volume of 580 cm3 at a certain pressure. If its pressure is increased by
0.96 atm, its volume becomes 100 cm 3. Determine the pressure of the system.
Q.5 Volume of a cylinder containing 10 marbles and gas is 1 litre at 2 atm pressure. Now pressure
on the cylinder is increased to 4 atm, at which volume becomes 725 ml. Calculate volume of
each marble.

(ii) Charles’ Law :

It relates the volume and temperature of a given mass of a gas at constant pressure.
For each degree change of temperature, the volume of a sample of a gas changes by the
fraction 1 of its volume at 0 °C.
273
Let the volume of a given amount of gas be V0 at 0°C. The temperature is increased by t°C and
the new volume becomes Vt
V0  t   273  t 
Thus , Vt  V0   t  V0 1   or Vt  V0  
273  273   273 

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 GASEOUS STATE

A new temperature scale was introduced known as Kelvin scale or absolute scale (named
after the British physicist and mathematician Lord Kelvin). The lower limit of the scale is
called absolute zero which corresponds to – 273°C.
At absolute zero or – 273 °C , all molecular motions would stop and the volume of the gas
would become zero. The gas would become a liquid or solid. Thus, absolute zero is that
temperature at which no substance exists in the gaseous state. The temperature in absolute
scale is always obtained by adding 273 to the temperature expressed in °C.
K = (t°C + 273)
This new temperature scale may be used for deducing Charles’ law.
By substituting T for 273 + t and T 0 for 273 in Eq. (i).
V0  T Vt V0
Vt  or 
T0 T T0

or V = constant , if pressure is kept constant

T

2.0
Volume (litre)

1.0 (This graph is called isobar)

0 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 °C

73 173 273 373 473 573 K
Temperature

Alternatively, Charles’ law can be stated as follows :

“The volume of a given amount of a gas at constant pressure varies directly as its absolute
temperature”.
V  T (if pressure is kept constant)

Illustration 3: 1 mole of an ideal gas at constant atmospheric pressure is heated to increase

its volume by 50% of initial volume. The change in temperature made was 300 K to
T K. Than calculate final temperature.
Solution : At constant pressure for a given amount of gas
V1 V2 V 1 .5 V
   (V1 = V, T1= 300 K, V2 = 1.5V)
T1 T2 300 T
T = 450 K
(iii) Pressure-Temperature Law : (Gaylussac’s Law)
It relates the pressure and absolute temperature of a given mass of a gas at constant volume.
Volumes remaining constant, the pressure of given mass of a gas increases or decreases by
1 of its pressure at 0°C per degree change of temperature.
273
P0  t
Pt = P0 + 273 or Pt = P0 1   t
273
 or
 273  t 
P t = P0  273  = P0 TT
  0

Pt P0
or  or PT (if volume and number of moles are kept constant)
T T0

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 GASEOUS STATE 7
At constant volume, the pressure of a given amount of a gas is directly proportional to its
absolute temperature.

Illustration 4: Pressure of gas contained in a closed vessel is increased by 0.4%, when

heated by 1ºC. Calculate its final temperature. Assume ideal nature.
Solution : Since no information is given about volume hence we can assume that volume is constant
P1 P2
and use T = T
1 2

0.04P
given P 1 = P, T 1 = T, P2 = P + = 1.004 P,, T2 = T + 1
100
P 1.004P
 =  T = 250 K
T T 1

3. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 A balloon blown up with 1 mole of gas has a volume of 480 mL at 5ºC. the balloon is filled to
(7/8)th of its maximum capacity suggest,
(a) Will the balloon burst at 30ºC ?
(b) The minimum temperature at which it will burst.
Q.2 A gaseous system occupies the volume 800 cm 3 at 22ºC at a certain pressure. To what
temperature, the gas should be heated in order to increase its volume by 20% keeping the
pressure constant ?
Q.3 A gas cylinder containing cooking gas can withstand a pressure of 14.9 atmosphere. The pressure
gauge of the cylinder indicates 12 atmosphere at 27ºC. Due to a sudden fire in the building the
temperature starts rising. At what temperature will the cylinder explode ?
Q.4 A chamber of constant volume contains hydrogen gas. When the chamber is immersed in a bath
of melting ice (0ºC) the pressure of the gas is 800 torr. What pressure will be indicated when
the chamber is brought to 100ºC ?

(iv) Avogadro’s Law

(i) For Solid, liquid and gas
1 mole of any substance contains Avogadro’s number (NA) of molecules/atoms/particles etc.
NA = 6.023 × 10 23
(ii) For gases:
In 1812, Amadeo Avogadro stated that samples of different gases which contain the same
number of molecules (any complexity, size, shape) occupy the same volume at the same
temperature and pressure. It follows from Avogadro’s hypothesis that V  n (T and P are
constant).

Vn V1 V2
(T, P constant)  
n1 n 2
STP : 273.15 K 1 atm
SATP : 298.15 K 1 bar

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4. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 At similar conditions of temperature and pressure three gases He, N2 and O2 has same volume.
Arrange all three gases in increasing order of No. of atoms present in the given volume.
(A) O2 > N2 > He (B) He > N2 > O2 (C) He = N2 = O2 (D) He < N2 = O2
Q.2 Calculate weight in gram present in 1.12 × 10 –3 m3 of CH4 gas at STP.
(A) 0.8 g (B) 1.6 g (C) 1.12 g (D) 8 g
Q.3 Calculate volume occupied by 8.8 g CO 2 gas, if 5.6 g CO gas occupies 6.24 L at same
Temperature and pressure.
(A) 22.4 L (B) 1.12 L (C) 4.48 L (D) 6.24 L
Q.4 A container has SO 2 gas at 2 atm pressure in a vessel of V L capacity, if no. of moles of SO 2
are doubled in the same container at same temperature and volume. Calculate new pressure in
the container.
(A) 1 atm (B) 4 atm (C) 2 atm (D) 8 atm
Q.5 Calculate No. of molecules of CH 4 and SO2 gas present in 1.12 L and 2.24 L volume,
respectively at STP.
Q.6 From 5.61 L of SO2 gas at STP, 6.02 × 10 22 molecules are removed, than calculate mass of
remaining gas .
Q.7 (i) Calculate no. of molecule in 500 g CaCO 3 (NA = 6 × 1023)
(ii) Calculate no. of Ca, C, O atom in it
(iii) If 1.5 × 1024 atoms , Ca atoms are removed then calculate no. of O and C atoms
remained and weight of remaining CaCO3.
Q.8 What mass of NaCl would contain the same total number of ions as 245 g of MgCl 2 ?
Q.9 Calculate the total number of atoms in 0.5 mole of K 2Cr2O7.
Q.10 Arrange following in increasing order of mass.
(i) 1 g Ca (ii) 1 g atom Ag
(iii) 1 mole of Na (iv) 3 × 1024 atoms of O
Q.11 Calculate the total number of electrons present in 18 mL of water.
Q.12 Find the mass of the nitrogen contained in 1 kg of
(i) KNO3, (ii) NH4NO3 and (iii) (NH4)2HPO4.

(v) Ideal Gas Equation

Combining all these gas laws , a simple equation can be derived at, which relates P , V , n
and T for a gas
PV = nRT (for n moles of gas)
P1V1 PV
 = 2 2 (Combined gas law)
T1 T2
P is the pressure of the gas and can be expressed in atm or Pa . Correspondingly , the volume
must be expressed in litres or m 3 respectively. n is the number of moles and T is the
temperature in Kelvin. R is called the universal gas constant.

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 GASEOUS STATE 9
Numerical Values of R
(i) In litre atmosphere = 0.0821 litre atm deg –1 mole–1
(ii) In ergs  8.314  107 erg deg –1 mole –1
(iii) In jouls = 8.314 jouls deg–1 mol–1
(iv) In calories = 1.937 cal deg –1 mole –1

Illustration 5 : An open vessel at 27°C is heated until 3/5 th of the air in it has been expelled.
Assuming that the volume of the vessel remains constant find
(A) the air escaped out if vessel is heated to 900K.
(B) temperature at which half of the air escapes out.
Solution : One should clearly note the fact that on heating a gas in a vessel, there are the number of
moles of gas which go out, the volume of vessel remains constant.
Let initial no. of moles of gas at 300 K be ‘n’. On heating 3/5 moles of air escape out at
temperature T.
 3  2n
 Moles of air left at temperature T   n – 5 n   5
 
(A) On heating vessel to 900 K, let n 1 moles be left,
1
n 1T 1 = n 2T 2  n1  900  300  n  n1  n
3
n 2
 moles escaped out = n –  n moles
3 3
(B) Let n/2 moles escape out at temperature T, then
n
n1 T1 = n2 T2   T  n  300  T = 600 K
2

Illustration 6 : 5g of ethane is confined in a bulb of one litre capacity. The bulb is so weak
that it will burst if the pressure exceeds 10 atm. At what temperature will the pressure
of gas reach the bursting value?
5
Solution: PV = nRT  10 ×1 = × 0.082 × T
30
60
T= = 60 × 12.18 = 730.81 K = 457.81ºC
0.082

(vi) Relation between Molecular Mass and Gas Densities

w
(A) Actual density : For an ideal gas PV = nRT or PV  RT , where w = mass of the
M
gas in gms and M = Molecular wt. in gms.
w w
 PM RT or PM =  RT, (where  is the density of the gas =
V V
PM
 ρ
RT
d1 T1 d T
(i) = 2 2 (for same gas at different temperatrue and pressure)
P1 P2

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 GASEOUS STATE

d1 M
(ii) = 1 (for different gases at same temperature & pressure)
d2 M2
(Where d = density of gas)

Illustration 7: The density of an unknown gas at 98°C and 0.974 atm is 2.5 × 10 –3 g/ml.
What is the mol wt. of gas?
Solution: Density = 2.5 10 –3 g/ml = 2.5 g/L
 PM =  RT T
0.974 × M = 2.5 × 0.0821 × 371  M = 78.18.

(B) Vapour Density: For gases another term which is often used is vapour-density. Vapour
density of a gas is defined as the ratio of the mass of the gas occupying a certain volume at a
certain temperature and pressure to the mass of hydrogen occupying the same volume at the
PVM
same temperature and pressure i.e. W (gas) = .
RT
PV  2
and WH2  ( mol. wt. of hydrogen is 2)
RT
Wgas M
  
WH2 2 (Vapour density of gas)
Vapour density of a gas is same at any temperature, pressure and volume.

Illustration 8: When 3.2 g of sulphur is vapourised at 450°C and 723 mm pressure, the
vapours occupy a volume of 780 ml. What is the molecular formula of sulphur vapours
under these conditions? Calculate the vapour density also.

723 780 3 .2
Solutlon: PV = nRT  × = × 0.082 × 723
760 760 M
M = 255.9
M
no. of catoms of sulpher in one molecule = =8
32
 Molecular formula of sulphur = S8
M 255.9
V. D. = =  127.99
2 2

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 GASEOUS STATE 11

5. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 Calculate the weight of CH4 in a 9 litre cylinder at 16 atm and 27° C. (R = 0.08 L atm K–1)
Q.2 Calculate the moles of hydrogen present in a 500 cm3 sample of hydrogen gas at a pressure of
760 mm of Hg and 27ºC.
Q.3 Calculate the volume occupied by 4.0245 × 10 23 molecules of O2 at 27ºC having pressure of
700 torr.
Q.4 A gas occupies 300 mL at 27ºC and 730 mm pressure. What would be its volume at STP ?
Q.5 A gas at 0ºC and 1 atm pressure occupies 2.5 litre. What change in temperature would be
necessary if the pressure is to be adjusted to 1.5 atm and the gas has been transferred to a 2.0
litre container ?
Q.6 3.7 gm of a gas at 25ºC occupied the same volume as 0.184 gm of hydrogen at 17°C and at
the same pressure. What is the molecular mass of the gas ?
Q.7 An under water bubble with a radius of 0.5 cm at the bottom of tank, where the temperature is
5ºC and pressure is 3 atm rises to the surface, where temperature is 25ºC and pressure is 1
atm. What will be the radius of bubble when it reaches to surface ?
Q.8 The density of a gas is 0.259 g/mL at 400 K and 190 torr. Find its molar mass.
Q.9 Calculate the density of CO2 at 100ºC and 800 mm Hg pressure.
Q.10 A gas occupies 0.418 litre at 740 mm of Hg and 27 ºC . Calculate :
(a) its volume at STP
(b) molecular weight if gas weighs 3.0 g
(c) new pressure of gas if the weight of gas is increased to 7.5 g and temperature becomes
280 K
(d) the volume of vessel at 300 K
Q.11 A balloon filled with helium raises to a certain height at which it gets fully inflated to a volume of
1 × 105 litre. If at this altitude temperature and atmospheric pressure is 268 K and 2 × 10–3 atm
respectively, what weight of helium is required to fully inflated the balloon ?
Q.12 Consider the arrangement of bulbs shown below:

1.0 L 1.0 L 0.5 L

N2 Ne H2
635 mm 212 mm 418 mm

What is the pressure of the system when all the stopcocks are opened?
Q.13 A glass bulb of volume 400 cm3 is connected to another bulb of volume 200 cm 3 by means of
a tube of negligible volume. The bulbs contain dry air and are both at a common temperature
and pressure of 20ºC and 1.00 atm. The larger bulb is immersed in steam at 100ºC ; the
smaller, in melting ice at 0ºC. Find the final common pressure.

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(vii) Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures:

The total pressure of a mixture of non-reacting gases is equal to the sum of their partial pressures.
By Dalton’s Law PT = P1 + P2 + ..............
By the partial pressure of a gas in a mixture is meant, the pressure that the gas will exert if it
occupies alone the total volume of the mixture at the same temperature.
Derivation: n = n1 + n2 + …
PV PV P1V P2 V
n     ...  P = P 1 + P2 + …
RT RT RT RT
Assumption: Volume of all the gases is same as they are kept in same container.
Relationship between partial pressure and number of moles
Important formula
 n1 
(i) P1    P  x 1P where x 1 = mole fraction of gas
 n1  n 2 
Volume of the gas
(ii) Partial pressure of a gas in the mixture  P
Total Volume
Partial pressure and aqueous tension: Dalton’s law is used to calculate the pressure of
a dry gas when it is collected over water at atmospheric pressure.
By Dalton’s law,
Pressure of dry gas = atmospheric pressure - aqueous tension
Aqueous tension depends on temperature. It increases with temperature and becomes 760 mm
at 100°C.

Illustration 9: A gaseous mixture contains 55% N 2, 20% O2, and 25% CO2 by mass at a
total pressure of 760 mm. Calculate the partial pressure of each gas.
Solution: Total mass of the gases = 100 g
WN 2 = 55g, WO 2 = 20 g, WCO2 = 25g
n N2 = 55/28 = 1.964, n O2 = 20/32 = 0.625, n CO2 = 25/44 = 0.568
Total moles = 3.157
1.964  760
PN2   472.8 mm
3.157
0.625  760
PO2   150.46 mm
3.157
0.568  760
PCO2   136.74 mm
3.157

Illustration 10: A mixture containing 1.6 g of O 2, 1.4g of N2 and 0.4 g of He occupies a

volume of 10 litre at 27°C. Calculate the total pressure of the mixture and partial
pressure of each compound.
Solution: PV = nRT V = 10 litre T = 27ºC = 300K
0 .4 1.4 1.6
n He = = 0.1, n N2 = = 0.05, n D2 = = 0.05
4 28 32

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 GASEOUS STATE 13
Total no. of moles = 0.1 + 0.05 + 0.05  0.2
PV = nRT  P× 10 = 0.2 × 0.082 × 300 = 0.04926  P = 0.492 atm
Partial pressure = Total pressure × molefraction
0 .1
PHe = 0.492 × = 0.246 atm
0 .2
0.05
PN 2 = 0.492 × = 0.123 atm
0 .2
0.05
PO2 = 0.492 × = 0.123 atm
0 .2

(viii) Graham’s Law of Diffusion

Diffusion is the tendency of any substance to spread throughout the space available to it. Diffusion
will take place in all direction and even against gravity.
The streaming of gas molecules through a small hole is called effusion.
According to Graham, the rate of diffusion (or effusion) of a gas at constant pressure and
temperature is inversely proportional to the square root of its molecular mass.
1
r , at constant P and T
M

r1 M2
  , at constant P and T
r2 M1

r1 d2
Since molecular mass of gas = 2 × vapour density, r  d , at constant P and T
2 1

The rate of diffusion (or effusion) r of two gases under different pressure can be given by
r1 M 2 P1 at constant T only..
 
r2 M1 P2

Volume diffused (V) moles diffused (n)

r 
time taken time taken
distance travelled in a narrow tube of uniform cross-sectional area (x)
r
time taken
Therefore, according to Graham’s law of diffusion (effusion) at constant P and T.
V1 t 2 d2 M2
   ;d1
t1 V2 d1 M1
d1 and d2 are the respective densities and V 1 and V2 are volumes diffused (effused) in time t 1
and t2 .
n1 t 2 d2 M2
  
t1 n 2 d1 M1
where n1, n2 are moles diffused (effused) in time t1 and t2.
x1 t 2 d2 M2
  
t1 x 2 d1 M1

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 GASEOUS STATE

where x1 and x2 are distances travelled by molecules in narrow tube in time t 1 and t2.
moles diffused
r=
time taken
dis tan ce travelled in a narrow tube
=
time taken
pressure drop I
= pressure drop II

Note: It should be noted that the rate of diffusion or effusion actually depends on pressure difference
of the gas and not simply on its pressure. Moreover the pressure difference is to be measured
for this gas only i.e. if a container holds [He] at a pressure of 0.1 atm and if a small pin-hole is
made in the container and if the container is placed in a room, then the rate of effusion of He gas
from the container to outside depends only on its pressure difference, which is 0.1-0 (as their
is no He in the atmosphere). This implies that the diffusion of a gas is not dependent on the
diffusion of any other gas.
Whenever we consider the diffusion of gas under experimental conditions, we always assume
that the gas diffuses in vacuum and during the time period for which the diffusion is studied the
rate of diffusion (or the composition of diffusing or effusing mixture of gases) remains constant.

Illustration 11: Pure O2 diffuses through an aperture in 224 seconds, whereas mixture of
O2 and another gas containing 80% O 2 diffuses from the same in 234 sec under similar
condition of pressure and temperature. What is molecular wt. of gas?
Solution: The gaseous mixture contains 80% O 2 and 20% gas.
32  80  20  m mix
 Average molecular weight of mixture (M mix )  … (i)
100
Now for diffusion of gaseous mixture and pure O2
rO2 M mix VO2 t mix M mix
 or  
rm M O2 Vmix t O2 32

1 234 M mix
or   … (ii)
224 1 32
 M mix  34.92
By (i) and (ii) mol weight of gas (m) =46.6.
235
Illustration 12: Calculate the relative rates of diffusion of UF6 and 238UF6 in the gaseous
state (Atomic mass of F = 19).
Solution 235 238
UF6 and UF6 (at F = 19)

r
UF6235 M
UF6238
r =
UF6238 M
UF6235

352
= = 1.0042
349

Page 14 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE 15

6. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 Equal weights of CH4 and O2 are mixed in an empty container of one litre at 27ºC. Calculate
(a) the fraction of total pressure exerted by O 2
(b) the total pressure if the weights of gases are 32 g each
Q.2 Two gases A and B having molecular weights 60 and 45 respectively are enclosed in a vessel.
The wt. of A is 0.50 g and that of B is 0.2 g. The total pressure of the mixture is 750 mm.
Calculate partial pressure of the two gases.
Q.3 5 litre of N2 under a pressure of 2 atm, 2 litre of O 2 at 5.5 atm and 3 litre of CO 2 at 5 atm are
mixed. The resultant volume of the mixture is 15 litre. Calculate the total pressure of the mixture
and partial pressure of each constituent.
Q.4 A 10 litre flask at 298 K contains a gaseous mixture of CO and CO 2 at a total pressure of 2
atm. If 0.20 mole of CO is present , find its partial pressure and also that of CO 2.
Q.5 1500 mL flask contains 400 mg O 2 and 60 mg H2 at 100ºC.
(a) What is the total pressure in the flask ?
(b) If the mixture is permitted to react to form water vapour at 100ºC, what will be their
partial pressures ?
Q.6 32 cc of hydrogen diffuses through a fine hole in 1 minute. What volume of CO2 will diffuse in
1 minute under the same conditions ?
Q.7 180 mL of a hydrocarbon diffuses through a porous membrane in 15 minutes while 120 mL of
SO2 under identical conditions diffuses in 20 minutes. What is the molecular mass of the
hydrocarbon ?
Q.8 At room temperature, ammonia gas at one atmospheric pressure and hydrogen chloride at P
atmospheric pressure are allowed to effuse through identical pinholes from opposite ends of a
glass tube of one metre length and of uniform cross reaction. NH4Cl is first formed at a distance
of 60 cm from the end through which HCl gas is sent in. What is the value of P ?
Q.9 The rate of effusion of an unknown gas (X) through a pin hole is found to be 0.279 times the
rate of effusion of hydrogen gas through the same pinhole, if both are at STP. What is the
molecular mass of the unknown gas ?
Q.10 If a 2 m long narrow tube, HCl is allowed to diffuse in the tube from one end and NH3 from the
other end. If diffusion is started at the same time, predict at what point the white fumes of
NH4Cl will form?

4. The Kinetic Theory of Gases

In order to derive the theoretical aspect of the various gas laws based on simple experiment
facts, Maxwell proposed the following postulates under the heading of kinetic theory of gases:
The postulates of kinetic theory of gas are
(i) Each gas is made up of a large number of small (tiny) particles known as molecules.
(ii) The volume of a molecule is so small that it may be neglected in comparison to total
volume of gas.
(iii) The molecules are never in stationary state but they are believed to be in chaotic (random)
motion. They travel in straight line in all possible directions with altogether different but
constant velocities. The direction of motion is changed by the collision with container or
with the other molecules.

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 GASEOUS STATE

(iv) The collision between molecules is perfectly elastic i.e., there is no change in the
energies of the molecules after collision.
(v) The effect of gravity on molecular motion is negligible.
(vi) The kinetic energy of the gases depends on the temperature.
(vii) The pressure of the gas arises due to collision of molecules with the walls of the container.

The Kinetic Equation : Maxwell also derived an equation on the basis of above assumptions as
1
PV = mnu2 where
3
P = Pressure of gas
V = Volume of gas
m = mass of one molecule of gas
n = no. of molecules of gas
u = root mean square velocity of molecules
For 1 mole n = N (Avogadro number)
m × N = Molecular mass M.
1 3PV 3RT 3PV 3PV3RT 3RT
 PV  Mu 2 or u 2   or uor u   
3 M M M MM M

5. Distribution of Molecular Velocities

Maxwell and Boltzmann proposed that gas molecules are always in rapid random motion
colliding with each other and with the walls of container. Due to such collisions, their velocities
always changes. A fraction of molecules have a particular molecular velocity at a time. James
Clark Maxwell calculated the distribution of velocity among fraction of total number of molecules,
on the basis of probability.
The distribution of velocities of different gas molecules may be shown by the following curve.

Most probable
velocity
Fraction of molecules

Average velocity
273 K
1273 K

2773 K

Molecular velocity

From the curve it may be concluded that

(i) Only a small fraction of molecules have either very low or very high velocity.
(ii) Curve becomes flat when temperature is raised i.e. distribution around average velocity
becomes wider. Average molecular velocity increases with rise in temperature.
(iii) Most of the molecules have velocity close to most probable velocity represented by the
top of curve.
(iv) At higher temperature greater number of molecules have high velocity, while few
molecules have lower velocity.

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 GASEOUS STATE 17

Average Velocity : As per kinetic theory of gases, each molecule is moving with altogether
different velocity. Let ‘n’ molecules be present in a given mass of gas, each one moving with
velocity u1,u2, u3, …,un. The average velocity or Uav = average of all such velocity terms.
u1  u 2  u 2  ...u n
Average velocity =
n
8RT
U av 
πM
Root Mean Square Velocity : Maxwell proposed the term U rms as the square root of
means of square of all such velocities.
u12  u 22  u 32  ...
U 2rms 
n

3RT
Also U rms 
M
Most probable velocity: It is the velocity possessed by maximum no. of molecules.
2RT
U mpv 
M

2RT 8RT 3RT

Furthermore U mpv : U av : U rms :: : :
M M M

8
= 2: : 3 = 1 : 1.128 : 1.224
π
Also U av  U rms  0.9213
1
Kinetic Energy of Gas: As per kinetic equation PV = mn u 2rms .
3
For 1 mole m × n = Molecular Mass (M)
1 2 1 2 K.E. K.E.
3 3
 PV  Mu 2rms   Mu 2   K.E. / mole or or  RT RT
3 3 2 3 mole mole
2 2
3 RT 3  R
Also KE per molecule   kT. Where k is the Boltzmann constant k  
2 n 2  n

Kinetic Energy of gas sample :

3 R 3
(i) Average kinetic energy of a single molecule = . . T = KT
2 N 2
K = boltzman constant = 1.38 × 10 –23 J/deg
3
(ii) Total Kinetic Energy for one mole of gas = RT
T
2
3
(iii) kinetic Energy for n mol of gas = n × RT
T
2

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 GASEOUS STATE

Illustration 13: Calculate rms speed of O 2 at 273 K and 1 × 10 5 Pa pressure. The density of
O2 under these conditions is 1.42 kg m –3.
Solution: Data are given in SI units
3P 3 105
C   459.63 m sec –1
d 1.42

Illustration 14: At what temperature will the r.m.s. velocity of oxygen be one and half times
of its value at N.T.P.?
1 2 3
Solution: mc  kT
2 2
3
Suppose the temperature required is T then the velocity will be C
2
1 3
 mc2  kT
2 2
3 / 2C T 9
  or, T   273  614.25 K
C T 4

Illustration 15: Calculate the average and total kinetic energy of 0.5 mole of an ideal gas at
0°C.
3 3
Solution: Average kinetic energy = KT = ×1.38 ×10–23 × 273 = 5.65× 10–21J
2 2
3 3
Total kinetic energy of n mole of gas = n × RT = 0.5 × × 8.314 × 273
2 2
= 1.702kJ

7. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

Q.1 Calculate the temperature at which the root mean square speed of SO 2 molecules is the same
as that of oxygen at 27ºC.
Q.2 Calculate the rms speed of ozone kept in a closed vessel at 20ºC and 82 cm Hg pressure.
Q.3 A gas has a density of 1.2504g/ at 0ºC and a pressure of 1 atm. Calculate the rms, average
and the most probable speeds of its molecules at 0ºC.
Q.4 The density of hydrogen at 0ºC and 760 mm Hg pressure is 0.00009 g/cc. What is the rms
speed of hydrogen molecules ?
Q.5 The kinetic molecular theory attributes an average kinetic energy of 3/2 KT to each particle.
What rms speed would a mist particle of mass 10 –12 gm have at room temperture (27°C)
according to the kinetic molecular theory.
Q.6 Compute rms speed of (i) O2 at 15ºC and 77 cm pressure, (ii) NH3 molecules at NTP and (iii)
average speed of CH 4 at 500ºC.
Q.7 At what temperature would the most probable speed of CO molecules be twice that at 0ºC ?

Page 18 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE 19
Q.8 Under 3 atm, 12.5 litre of a certain gas weigh 15 g, calculate the average speed of gaseous
molecules.
Q.9 Calculate the pressure exerted by 10 23 gas molecules, each of mass 10 –22 g in a container of
volume one litre. The rms speed is 10 5 cm sec–1.
Q.10 Calculate the room mean square speed, total and average translational kinetic energy in joule
of the molecules in 8 g methane at 27 ºC.
Q.11 Two bulbs A and B equal capacity are filled with He and SO 2 respectively, at the same
temperature.
(i) If the pressure in two bulbs is same, calculate ratio of u rms for them.
(ii) At what temperature, velocity of SO 2 becomes half of the speed of He molecules at
27 ºC.
(iii) How will the speeds be effected if volume of B becomes four times.
(iv) How will the speeds be effected if half of the molecules of SO 2 are removed from B.
Q.12 Two flasks A and B have equal volumes. Flask A contains H 2 at 27ºC while B contains equal
mass of C2H6 at 627ºC. In which flask and by how many times are molecules moving faster ?
Assume ideal gas nature for both.
Q.13 Compare the rms speed of O2 at 27ºC and 54ºC. Also find the temperature at which rms speed
of O2 is doubled to that of 27ºC.
Q.14 Calculate the root mean square speed of oxygen molecules having a kinetic energy of 2kcal
mol–1. At what temperature would the molecules have this value of urms ?
Q.15 Calculate the temperature at which the molecules of the first two members of the homologous
series CnH2n+2 will have the same rms speed as CO 2 gas has 770 K.

6. Deviations from Ideal Behaviour

An ideal gas is one which obeys the gas laws of the gas equation PV = RT at all pressure and
temperatures. However no gas in nature is ideal. Almost all gases show significant deviations
from the ideal behaviour. Thus the gases H 2, N2 and CO2 which fail to obey the ideal-gas
equation are termed as non-ideal or real gases.
Compressibility Factor : The extent to which a real gas departs from the ideal behaviour
may be depicted in terms of a new function called the compressibility factor, denoted by Z. It
is defined as
PV
Z
nRT
The deviations from ideality may be shown by a plot of the compressibility factor Z, against P.
For an ideal gas, Z = 1 and it is independent of temperature and pressure.
The deviations from ideal behaviour of a real gas will be determined by the value of Z being
greater or less than 1.
The difference between unity and the value of the compressibility factor of a gas is a measure of
the degree of non ideality of the gas.
For a real gas, the deviations from ideal behaviour depends on :
(i) pressure ; and (ii) temperature.
This will be illustrated by examining the compressibility curves of some gases discussed below
with the variation of pressure and temperature.

Page 19 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE

Effect of Pressure Variation on Deviations:

2 N2
H2
CO2
Ideal gas
Z1

0
P
Effect of Temperature on Deviations:
200K
500K

1000K
Z

1.0

P (atm)

From the above curves we can conclude that:

1. At low pressure and fairly high temperatures, real gases show nearly ideal behaviour
and the ideal-gas equation is obeyed.
2. At low temperatures and sufficiently high pressures, a real gas deviates significantly
from ideality and the ideal-gas equation is no longer valid.
3. The closer the gas is to the liquefication point, the larger will be the deviation from the
ideal behaviour.
Greater is the departure of Z from unity, more is the deviation from ideal behaviour.
(i) When Z < 1, this implies that gas is more compressible.
(ii) When Z > 1, this means that gas is less compressible.
(iii) When Z = 1, the gas is ideal.
Vander Waals Equation of State for a Real Gas: The equation of state generated by
Vander Waals in 1873 reproduces the observed behaviour with moderate accuracy. For n
moles of gas, the Vander Waals equation is
 2 
 P  n a  (V – nb) = nRT
 V 2 
T

where a and b are constants characteristic of a gas. This equation can be derived by
considering a real gas and converting it to an ideal gas.

Volume Correction : We know that for an ideal gas P × V = nRT. Now in a real gas the
molecular volume cannot be ignored and therefore let us assume that ‘b’ is the volume
excluded (out of the volume of container) for the moving gas molecules per mole of a gas.
Therefore due to n moles of a gas the volume excluded would be nb.
 a real gas in a container of volume V has only available volume of (V – nb) and this can
be thought of, as an ideal gas in a container of volume (V – nb)

Page 20 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE 21

Pressure Correction : Let us assume that the real gas exerts a pressure P. The
molecules that exert the force on the container will get attracted by molecules of the immediate
layer which are not assumed to be exerting pressure.
It can be seen that pressure the real gas exerts would be less than the pressure an ideal gas
would have exerted. Therefore if a real gas exerts a pressure P, then an ideal gas would exert
a pressure equal to P + p(p is the pressure lost by the gas molecules due to attractions). This
small pressure p would be directly proportional to the extent of attraction between the molecules
which are hitting the container wall and the molecules which are attracting these.
n
Therefore p  (concentration of molecules which are hitting the container’s wall)
V
n n2
p (concentration of molecules which are attracting these molecules )  p 
V V2

an 2
 p
V2
where a is the constant of proportionality which depends on the nature of gas. Higher value of
‘a’ reflects the increased attraction between gas molecules.
The Vander Waals constant b (the excluded volume) is actually 4 times the volume of a single
molecule. i.e. b = 4 NAV where NA  Avogadro number.
4 3
 b = 4 × 6.023 × 10 23  r , where r is the radius of a molecule.
3
The constant a and b: Vander Waals constant for attraction (A) and volume (B) are
characteristic for a given gas. Some salient features of ‘a’ and ‘b’ are:
(i) For a given gas Vander Waal’s constant of attraction ‘a’ is always greater than Vander
Waals constant of volume (B).
(ii) The gas having higher value of ‘a’ can be liquified easily and therefore H 2 and He are
not liquified easily.
(iii) The units of a = litre2 atm mole–2 and that of b = litre mole–1
(iv) The numerical values of a and b are in the order of 10 –1 to 10–2 to 10–4 respectively.
(v) Higher is the value of ‘a’ for a given gas, easier is the liquification.

Explanation of deviation by Van der Waals equation

(i) At lower pressure : ‘V’ is large and ‘b’ is negligible in comparison with V.
Then Vander Waals equation reduces to :
 a  a
 P  2  V  RT  PV   RT
 V  V
a PV a
PV  RT – PV  RT
or Z = RT = 1 – VRT
V
or PV < RT at low pressure (below Boyle temperature)
this accounts for the dip in PV vs P isotherm at low pressure.

Page 21 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE

a
(ii) At fairly high pressures : may be neglected in comparison with P..
V2
The Vander Waals equation becomes

P ( V–b) = RT PV – Pb = RT
PV Pb
PV = RT + Pb Z = R T = 1 + R T

or PV > RT at higher pressure (above Boyle temperature)

This accounts for the rising parts of the PV vs P isotherm at high pressures.
a
(iii) At very low pressure : V becomes so large that both b and become negligible
V2
and the Vander Waals equation reduces to PV = RT
PV a
Z= = 1 ; Pb = At extremely low pressure (at Boyle temperature)
RT v
This shows why gases approach ideal behaviour at very low pressures.
(iv) Hydrogen and Helium : These are two lightest gases known. Their molecules have
very small masses. The attractive forces between such molecules will be extensively
a
small. So is negligible even at ordinary temperatures. Thus PV > RT..
V2
Dieterici Equation :
P (V - nb) = n R T ea/VRT (for ‘n’ mole of a gas)
Berthelot Equation :

 n 2a 
 P   (V - nb) = n R T
 T V 2 

Virial Equation Of State For 1 Mole Of Gas :

PV 1 1 1
Z = RT = 1 + B + C 2 + D 3 + ..............
V V V
a
B = second virial co-efficient , temperature dependent = b –
RT
C = third virial co – efficient, temperature dependent = b 2

Page 22 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE 23
Illustration 16 : The compressibility factor for 1 mole of a van der Waals gas at 0ºC and
100 atm pressure is found to be 0.5. Assuming that the volume of a gas molecule is
negligible, calculate the van der Waals constant, a.

Solution: For 1 mole of the gas,

pV 100  V
Z= 0.5 = ; V = 0.112 L
RT .0821 273'
 a 
Neglecting b, van der Waals equation reduces to  P  2  V = RT
T
 V 
a
or pV + = RT
T
V
a
or 100 × 0.112 + = .0821 × 273
0.112
a = 1.25 L2atm mol–2

7 Critical phenomenon & Liquification of gases

The phenomena of converting a gas into liquid is known as liquifaction. The liquifaction of gas
is achieved by controlling P and T as follows:
1. Increasing pressure : An increase in pressure results in an increase in attraction
among molecules.
2. Decreasing temperature : A decrease in temperature results in decrease in kinetic
energy of molecules.
Critical temperature (T c) : It is defined as the characteristic temperature for a given gas
below which a continuous increase in pressure will bring liquification of gas and above which
no liquefaction is noticed although pressure may be increased e.g. T c for CO2 is 31.2°C.
8a
TC =
27 Rb
Critical pressure (Pc) : It is defined as the minimum pressure applied on 1 mole of gas placed
at critical temperature, to just liquefy the gas
a
PC =
27 b 2
Critical Volume (Vc) : The volume occupied by 1 mole of gas placed at critical conditions.
VC = 3b (i.e. P = Pc and T = Tc)

8. Collision parameters
– Mean free path
d1  d 2  ..........  d n 3
 =  (  = coefficient of viscosity)
n Pd
Average velocity / RMS velocity kT

collision number or frequency = 2  2 P
k = Boltzman constant ;  = collision diameter..

Page 23 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE

– Collision frequency (z) : no. of collision taking place per second per unit volume.
– Collision diameter : Closest distance between the centre of two molecule which are
participating in collision.
– Relative Humidity (RH) :
At a given temperatrue
Partial pressure of water vapour in air at T
RH = vapour pressure of water at T
– Loschmidth Number
The number of molecules present in 1 cc of gas (or) vapour at STP.
value : 2.617 × 1019 1 cc

8. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

I. Instructions : From Question (1 to 4) a single statement is made. Write T if the
statement is true & F if the statement is false.
1. A gas with a = 0 can be very easily liquefied.
2. Mean free path increases with the increase in temperature at constant pressure.
3. The behaviour of a real gas approach ideal gas at high temperature & low pressure.
4. Real gases deviate form ideal behaviour because their molecules cause attractive
interaction on one another.

II. Instructions : Questions (5 to 11) consist of a problem followed by several alternative

answers, only one of which is correct. Mark the letter corresponding to the correct
answer.
5. A real gas obeying vander waal equation will resemble ideal gas if the
(A) constants a and b are negligibly small (B) a is large and b is small
(C) a is small and b is large (D) constant a and b are large
6. The compressibility factor of real gas is usually greater than one (Z > 1) at high temperature
and high pressure. This is because
(A) the constant a is negligible while b is not (B) the constant b is negligible while a is not
(C) both a and b are negligible (D) both a and b are no negligible
7. For three different gases values of vander Waal’s constant ‘a’ and ‘b’ are given. What is the
correct order of liquefaction of gases :
Gases a b
X2 1.3 0.090
Y2 4.1 0.023
Z2 2.,2 0.075
(A) X2 > Y2 > Z2 (B) Y2 > Z2 > X2 (C) Z2 > Y2 > X2 (D) X2 > Z2 > Y2
8. The value of vander Waal’s constant ‘a’ for the gases O 2, N2, NH3 and CH4 are 1.36 , 1.39,
4.17 and 2.253 l2 atm, m–2, respectively. The gas which can most easily be liquefied is
(A) O2 (B) N2 (C) NH3 (D) CH4

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 GASEOUS STATE 25
9. What is not true about the vander waal constant ‘b’ among the statements given below ?
I. It is called excluded volume II. It accounts for the interparticle forces
III. Its units are mol dm–3 IV. Its value depends on molecular size
(A) I, II (B) II, IV (C) II, III (D) I, IV
10. Among the four statements given below for real gases, which are incorrect :
(A) The molecules causes attractive interactions.
(B) They show deviation from ideal gas laws.
(C) The molecules are almost volume less points.
(D) The molecules have negligible mass.
11. Vander Waal’s constant for three different gases are given
Gas a b
X 3.0 0.025
Y 10.0 0.030
Z 6.0 0.035
Which is correct ?
(A) Maximum critical temperature - Y (B) Most ideal behaviour - X
(C) Maximum molecular volume - Z (D) All are correct

SOLVED PROBLEMS

SUBJECTIVE
Problem 1 :
Calculate the total pressure in a 10 L cylinder which contains 0.4 g of helium, 1.6g of
oxygen and 1.4 g of nitrogen at 27°C. Also calculate the partial pressure of helium
gas in the cylinder. Assume ideal behaviour for gases.
Solution :
nHe = 0.4/4 = 0.10, n O2 = 1.6/32 = 0.05, n N2 = 1.4/28 = 0.05
Total moles = 0.2
PV = nRT  P  10  0.2  0.082  300  P = 0.492 atm

Problem 2 :
One litre flask contains O 2 at 0°C and 7.6 × 10 –10 mm Hg. Calculate the number of
molecules of O 2 present.
Solution :
PV = nRT
7.6 10 –10
P atmosphere = 10 –12 atmosphere, V1  1 litre n=?
760
R = 0.082 litre L atm K –1mol –1 , T = 273 K
 10 –12  1  n  0.082  273
 n = 4.46  10 –12 moles
Molecules = 4.46  10 –14  6.02  1023  2.68  1010

Page 25 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE

Problem 3 :
Assuming that N 2 molecules is spherical and its radius is 2×10 –10 meter, calculate the
empty space in one mole of N 2 gas at NTP.
Solution :
4 3
Volume of one molecule of N 2  r
3
4  3.14(2 10 –10 )3
  3.35  10 –29 m3  3.35  10 –23 cm3
3
Volume of one mole N 2 molecules  6.02  1023  3.35  10 –23 cm3 = 20.167 cm3
Volume of one mole N 2 at NTP = 22400 cc.
Hence empty space = 22400 – 22379.833 cm3
Empty volume  100 22379.833  100
% empty space    99.9%
Total Volume 22400

Problem 5 :
Using Vander Waals equation calculate the pressure exerted by one mole of CO 2. Its
volume at 373 K is 0.05 dm 3. Given a = 3.592 atm L 2mol–2 and b = 0.0426 L mol –1.
Solution :
 an 2 
 P   (V – nb)  nRT
 V2 
P = ?, n = 1, V = 0.05 litre, a = 3.592, b = 0.04267,
T = 373 K, R = 0.0821 L atm K –1 mol –1

 3.592 
P  (0.05 – 0.04267)  1 0.0821 373  P  1620.95 atm
 (0.05) 2 

Problem 6 :
Density of a mixture of CO and CO 2 at 303 K and 73 cm of Hg is 1.5 gram/litre. What
is the mole percent of two gases in the mixture.
Solution :
wRT wRT dRT
PV  or P or P
M MV M
73
P atm, d = 1.5 g/litre, T = 303 K, R = 0.0821 L atm K –1 mol –1 , M=?
76
73 1.5  0.0821 303
   M = 38.85 (molecular mass of the mixture)
76 M
Suppose, Total moles = 100, Moles of CO = a, Moles of CO 2  100 – a
Mass of CO 2  (100 – a)44
Total mass = 28a + (100 – a) 44
28a  (100 – a)44
Molecular mass of mixture 
100
But molecular mass of mixture is 38.85

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 GASEOUS STATE 27

28a  (100 – a)44

38.85   a = 32.19
100
Mole percent of CO = 31.19, Mole percent of CO 2  67.81

Problem 7 :
Two grams of gas A are introduced in a evacuated flask at 25°C. The pressure of the
gas is 1 atm. Now 3g of another gas B is introduced in the same flask, the total pressure
becomes 1.5 atm. Calculate (A) the ratio of molecular mass M A and M B (B) volume
of the vessel, if A is O 2.
Solution :
For gas A : Its mass = 2g ; PA  1 atm , T = 298 K
For gas B : Its mass = 3g , PB  0.5 atm. T = 298 K
According to Dalton’s law of partial pressure
P = pA  pB 1.5 = 1 + p B  p B = 0.5 atm
wRT
Now, PV 
m
For gas A : p A  1 atm, m  M A , w = 2g
2  RT
1 V  … (1)
MA
for gas B : p B  0.5 atm, m  M B , w = 3g
3  RT
0.5  V  … (2)
MB

3 MA MA 1

Dividing the equation (1) and (2) 0.5  or MB 3
2 MB
(B) If A is O 2 then M A  32, T = 298 K, V=?
2  0.0821 298
Put these values in equation (1) V  1.53 litres
32

Problem 8 :
One litre O2 and one litre H 2 are taken in a vessel of 2 litre at STP. These gases are
made to react to form water. Calculate (A) moles and weight of water formed. (B)
amount of gas left in the vessel. (C) Total pressure of the gas at 100°C.
Solution :
2H 2  O 2  2H 2 O
Volume before reaction (L) 1 1 0
Volume after reaction (L) 0 0.5 1
(A) For H 2 O : PV = nRT,, At STP P = 1 atm, V = 1 litre,
 Moles of H 2 O(n)  4.46 10
–2

Weight of H 2 O  4.46 10 –2 18  0.803 gram

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 GASEOUS STATE

(B) Gas left in the vessel = 0.5 litre at STP

 22.4 litre O 2 at STP weigh 32 g
32  0.5
 0.5 litre O 2 at STP weigh 32g   0.714 gram
22.4
(C) Moles of H 2 O formed = 4.46  10 –2
O 2 left = 0.5 litre at STP  2.23  10 –2 moles
Total moles in the vessel  4.46  10 –2  2.23  10 –2  6.69  10 –2
PV = nRT, P = ? V = 2 litre, n  6.69  10 –2 , T = 373 K
P  2  6.69  10 –2  0.0821 373   P = 1.02 atm

Problem 9 :
At 27 °C vapour density of the mixture of NO 2 and N2O4 is 38.3. Calculate the
moles of NO2 in 100 g mixture.
Solution :
V.D. of mixture = 38.3 , M.Wt. of mixture = 238.3 , Wt. of mixture = 100 g
100
Number of moles present = … (1)
2  38.3
Suppose mass of NO 2  a gram Mass of N 2 O 4  (100 – a)gram
Moles of NO 2  w / M  a / 46
Moles of N 2 O 4  w / M  (100 – a) / 92
a 100 – a
Total moles  … (2)
46 92
Equating equation (1) and (2)
100 a 100 – a
 
2  38.3 46 92
 Moles of NO 2  w / M  20.1/ 46  0.43

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 GASEOUS STATE 29

OBJECTIVE
Problem 1 :
The ratio of the root mean square velocity of H 2 at 50 K and that of O 2 at 800 K is
(A) 4 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 1/4
Solution : (C)
3RT T U rms (H 2 at 50 K) 50 32
U rms  ; U rms     1
M M U rms (O 2 at 800 K) 2 800

Problem 2 :
If for two gases of molecular weights M A and MB at temperature T A and
TB, TAMB = TBMA, then which property has the same magnitude for both the gases.
(A) density (B) pressure (C) KE per mole (D) Urms
Solution : (D)
PM M M
(i) Density of a gas ()  . Since B  A .
RT TB TA

 at the same pressure  A  B . But if pressure is different then  A  B .

(ii) Pressure of the gases would be equal if their densities are equal other wise not.
3
(iii) KE per mole = RT
2
 it will be different for the two gases
3RT T T
(iv) U rms  , Since A  B ; U rms of A  U rms of B
M MA MB

Problem 3 :
What percent of a sample of nitrogen must be allowed to escape if its temperature,
pressure and volume are to be changed from 220°C, 3 atm and 1.65 L to 100 °C ,
0.7 atm and 1 L respectively?
(A) 41.4 % (B) 8.18 % (C) 4.14 % (D) 81.8 %.
Solution : (D)
3 1.65 0.7  1 n 0.7 1 R  493
n1  ; n2   Fraction remaining  2    0.182
R  493 R  383 n1 R  383 3 1.65
Fraction escaped = 1 – 0.182 = 0.818  Percentage escaped = 81.8 %

Problem 4 :
Assuming that air is 79 % by mole of N 2, 20 % O2 and 1 % Ar , the density of air at
25 °C and 1 atm is :
(A) 1.18 g/lit (B) 1.08 g/lit (C)1.28 g/lit (D) 1.0 g/lit.
Solution : (A)
w RT RT PM eff
PV = nRT  P   
M V M RT
28.9 1
M eff  (0.79  28)  (0.20  32)  (0.01 39.9)  28.9      1.18 g / lit
0.0821 298

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 GASEOUS STATE

Problem 5 :
0.2 g of a gas X occupies a volume of 0.44 L at same pressure and temperature. Under
identical conditions of P and T, 0.1 g of CO 2 gas occupies 0.32 L. Gas X can be
(A) O2 (B) SO2 (C) NO (D) C4H10.
Solution : (B)
0.1
0.1 g CO 2  moles of CO 2 occupies = 0.32 L
44
0.2
moles of X occupies = 0.44 L
M
V(CO 2 ) n(CO 2 ) 0.32 0.1 M
PV = nRT  V  n     M = 64
V(X) n(X) 0.44 44  0.2

Problem 6 :
A flask containing 12 g of a gas of relative molecular mass 120 at a pressure of 100
atm was evacuated by means of a pump until the pressure was 0.01 atm. Which of the
following is the best estimate of the number of molecules left in the flask
(N 0  6 1023 mol –1 ) .
(A) 6  1019 (B) 6  1018 (C) 6  107 (D) 6  1013
Solution : (B)
n1 n2 n1 P1
P1  RT and  P2  RT , Since V and T remain constant hence n = P
V V 2 2

P2 12 0.01
n 2  n1     10 –5  Number of molecules left in the flask = n  N  6  1018
P1 120 100 2 0

Problem 7 :
The behaviour of a real gas is usually depicted by plotting compressibility factor Z
versus P at a constant temperature. At high temperature and high pressure, Z is usually
more than one. This fact can be explained by van der Waals equation when
(A) the constant ‘a’ is negligible and not ‘b’
(B) the constant ‘b’ is negligible and not ‘a’
(C) both constant ‘a’ and ‘b’ are negligible
(D) both the constant ‘a’ and ‘b’ are not negligible.
Solution : (A)
(P  n 2 a / V 2 )(V – nb)  nRT
At low pressures, ‘b’ can be ignored as the volume of the gas is very high. At high temperature
‘a’ can be ignored as the pressure of the gas is high.
PV Pb
 P (V – b) = RT  PV – Pb = RT  PV = RT + Pb   Z  1
RT RT

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 GASEOUS STATE 31
Problem 8 :
Under identical conditions of temperature, the density of a gas X is three times that
of gas Y while molecular mass of gas Y is twice that of X. The ratio of pressures of X
and Y will be
(A) 6 (B) 1/6 (C) 2/3 (D) 3/2.
Solution : (A)
 x RT
PM RT  RT  RT
P  P  Px  x , Py  3 , 6Py  x  PyPx Px6

RT M Mx 2M x Mx Py

Problem 9 :
X ml of H 2 gas effuses through a hole in a container in 5 seconds. The time taken
for the effusion of the same volume of the gas specified below under identical
conditions is :
(A) 10 seconds : He (B) 20 seconds : O 2
(C) 25 seconds : CO (D) 35 seconds : CO 2.
Solution : (B)
rH2 4 rH2 32
  2   (A) is incorrect   4
rHe 2 rO2 2

rH2 28 rH2 2 1
(B) is correct   14 (C) is incorrect   (D) is incorrect
rCO 2 rCO2 44 22

Problem 10 :
One mole of N2O4(g) at 300 K is kept in a closed container under one atmosphere
pressure. It is heated to 600 K when 20% by mass of N 2O4(g) decomposes to NO 2(g).
The resultant pressure is
(A) 1.2 atm (B) 2.4 atm (C) 2 atm (D) 1 atm.
Solution : (B)
1
Initial pressure of N 2 O 4 at 600 K,  P600 k   600  2atm
300
N 2 O 4 decomposes as follows N2O4  2NO2
At equilibrium 1– 2
 Moles at equilibrium = 1 –  + 2 = 1 + 
 The resultant pressure = 2(1 + ) = 2(1 + 0.2) = 2.4 atm

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 GASEOUS STATE

ANSWERS
1. Daily Practice Problem Sheet
1. B 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. A 6. B 7. D
8. (i) 10 cm of Hg (ii) 66 cm of Hg (iii) 86 cm of Hg 9. 35.5
10. (A) 10129.28 , (B) 76000 , (C) 1033.6 , (D) 76000 , (E) 100 11. 67 N
12. 27.2 cm

2. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

1. 500 torr 2. 2625 mm 3. 0.1073 atm 4. 0.2 atm 5. 45 ml

3. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

1. (A) it will not burst (B) 44.67 ºC 2. 81ºC 3. 99.5ºC 4. 1093 torr

4. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

1. D 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. 3.01 × 1022, 6.02 × 1022
6 9.02 × 1022
7 . (i) 3.0155 ×10 24 (ii) 3.0155 ×10 24 , 3.0155 ×10 24 , 9.0465 ×10 24
(iii) 4.5345 ×10 24 , 1.5115 ×10 24 , 250 g
8. 225 g 9. 3.31 × 1024 10. (ii) > (iv) > (iii) > (i)
11. 10 × 6.022 × 10 23 12. (i) 138.5 g (ii) 350 g (iii) 212 g

5. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

1. 96 g 2. 2.03 × 10–2 mole 3. 17.97 dm3 4. 262.2 mL
5. 327.6 K 6. 41.33 7. 0.74 cm 8. 34.02
9. 1.5124 g litre–1 10. (A) 0.37 litre (B) 181.55 (C) 2.27 atm (D) 0.418 litre
11. 36.36 g 12. 0.56 atm 13. 1.13 atm

6. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

1. (A) 1/3 (B) 73.89 atm 2. 489.23 mm (B) 260.77 mm
3. PM = 2.4 atm, P N = 0.667 atm, P O = 0.733 atm, P CO = 1 atm
2 2 2

4. PP of CO = 0.49 atm, PP of CO 2 = 1.51 atm 5. (A) 0.867 atm (B) 0.102 atm, 0.51 atm
6. 6.82 cc 7. M = 16 8. 2.198 atm 9. 25.69
10. NH4Cl will form at 1.186 m from the NH 3 end of the tube 11. 79.3 g mol–1
7. Daily Practice Problem Sheet
1. 600 K 2. 3.9 × 104 cm/sec
3. 4.93 × 104 cm/sec, 4.59 ×10 4 cm/sec, 4.03 ×10 4 cm/sec 4. 183.8 ×103 cm/sec

Page 32 of 33
 GASEOUS STATE 33
3 4
5. 0.35 cm/sec 6. 47.3 ×10 cm/sec, 6.8 × 10 cm/sec, 10.9 cm/sec 7. 819ºC
8. 8.028 × 104 cm/sec 9. 3.3 × 107 dyne/cm2
10. 6.84 ×104 cm/sec, 1871.42 J, 62.14 × 10 –22 J
u1
11. (i) =4 (ii) T = 1200 K (iii) no effect (iv) no effect 12. 2.237 : 1
u2
13. 0.958 : 1, 927ºC 14. urms = 7.20 ×104 cm sec–1 , T = 393.66ºC 15. 280 K, 525 K

8. Daily Practice Problem Sheet

1. False 2. True 3. True 4. True
5. A 6. A 7. B 8. C 9. C 10. CD 11. D

Page 33 of 33