CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

CHAPTER 4: IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

An ideal gas is a gas that conforms, in physical behavior, to a particular,

idealized relation between pressures, volume, and temperature called the ideal gas
law. This law is a generalization that for a specified quantity of gas, the product of
the volume, V, and pressure, P, is proportional to the absolute temperature T. This
relation conforms to the relation:

PV = kT

In which ‘k’ is a constant. Such a relation for a substance is called its

equation of state and is sufficient to describe its gross behavior.

All gases at sufficiently low pressures and high temperatures (hence, at

relatively low density) obey three rules: Boyle’s, Charles’, and Gay-Lussac’s rules.
These are called the perfect gas rules and such gases are known as perfect or ideal
gases. While the perfect gas and ideal gas are used interchangeably, an ideal gas is
a perfect gas with an additional feature of having constant specific heat, thus,
neglecting the effect of temperature in the properties of specific heat.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Explain the Equation of state and different ideal gas laws
2. Analyze the ideal gas behavior relating its properties.

1. EQUATION OF STATE
The classical thermodynamic properties of an ideal gas can be well
described by two equation of state. One of them is well known Ideal Gas
equation.
PV = nRT
Page | 53
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

Where P is the absolute pressure of the gas, V is the volume, n is the amount
of substance (in moles), R being the Universal gas constant (8.314kJ/kmol-K
or 1545 ft-lbf/lbmol-R in english units) and T is the absolute temperature
reading. Equation of State was formulated in able to determine the properties
(Temperature, Pressure, Volume etc.) of the certain working substance under
combination of specified conditions. This equation also predicts the P-v-T
behavior of a gas quite accurately within some properly selected region.
From this point, most often, we will be dealing with different gaseous
mixture or elements being the specified working substance. For this reason,
a basic knowledge in the chemical properties will be needed. In
thermodynamic calculations, we will often encounter the following elements:
*Common Elements Used in Thermodynamic Calculations
Atomic Weight of Nature of
Symbol Name single molecule Existence
(kg/kmol)
C Carbon 12 Monoatomic
H Hydrogen 1 Diatomic
O Oxygen 16 Diatomic
N Nitrogen 14 Diatomic
S Sulfur 32 Monoatomic
A Ash - -
M Moisture / Steam - -

One remarkable note is distinguishing the elements whether it is a

‘monoatomic’ or ‘diatomic’ element to apply necessary atomic weight when
dealing with the relation that uses equation of state. That is found when
relating the equation of state into mass equation as:
PV = mRT

Page | 54
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

being ‘m’ is the mass of the specified compound or element and ‘R’ is the Gas
constant of the substance (kJ/kg-K) calculated by relating atomic weight of
the
substance and the value of universal gas constant.
Determining Gas constant of the substance use, we have:
𝑹𝑼𝑵𝑰𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑨𝑳
𝑹𝑺𝑼𝑩𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑵𝑪𝑬 =
𝒏

2. IDEAL GAS LAWS

 COMBINED GAS LAW
There are couple of different ways to derive the ideal gas law.
While still on reference with the Equation of State, we held only
some parameters as constant, thus, in the view of the combined
gas law, (all parameters are considered) we can easily derive the
specified law we are aimed to.
𝐏𝐕
=𝐂
𝐓
or by a state point conditions: (Initial and final state)
𝐏𝟏 𝐕𝟏 𝐏𝟐 𝐕𝟐
=
𝐓𝟏 𝐓𝟐
where the product of mass and the gas constant as in the
equation of state are held constant.
 BOYLE’S LAW
Boyle’s law is an experimental gas law that tends to describe the
relation of volume and absolute pressure of the ideal gas. The law
was named after the chemist and physicist Robert Boyle who
published the original law during 1662. Describing the law, while
holding the temperature constant, we can have:
𝑷𝑽 = 𝑪

Page | 55
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

similarly, as we analyze the final and initial state point of the

process, we can have:
𝑷𝟏 𝑽𝟏 = 𝑷𝟐 𝑽𝟐
or by taking the ratio of the parameters, we have also:
𝑷𝟏 𝑽𝟐
=
𝑷𝟐 𝑽𝟏
The law indicates that there is an inverse relation between the
pressure and volume of the substance. By holding the
temperature constant, and by increasing the pressure inside the
piston cylinder assembly as shown in the figure below, there
exist to have lowered the volume of the substance.

Figure showing the relation of Pressure and Volume following Boyle’s Law

 CHARLES’ LAW
Identical with the law above, Charles’ law is an experimental gas
law that tends to describe the relation of volume and temperature
of the ideal gas. The law was named after the scientist Jacques
Charles who formulated the original law in his unpublished
work from the 1780’s.
𝑽
=𝑪
𝑻
and as we analyze the final and initial state point of the process,
we have:
Page | 56
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

𝑽𝟏 𝑽𝟐
=
𝑻𝟏 𝑻𝟐
or by taking the ratio of the parameters, we have also:
𝑽𝟏 𝑻𝟏
=
𝑽𝟐 𝑻𝟐
The law indicates that there is a direct relationship between the
volume and temperature of the substance. By holding the
pressure constant, and by increasing the applied temperature
inside the piston cylinder assembly as shown in the figure below,
there exist to have an increase in volume of the substance due to
thermal expansion.

Figure showing the relation of Volume and Temperature following Charles

Law

 GAY-LUSSAC’S LAW
Gay-Lussac’s law was named after the French chemist and
physicist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac. The law was often related
with the Charle’s law, there exist only to held the volume as
constant. By following the same relation, we have:

𝑷
=𝑪
𝑻

Page | 57
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

and as we analyze the final and initial state point of the process,
we have:
𝑷𝟏 𝑷𝟐
=
𝑻𝟏 𝑻𝟐
or by taking the ratio of the parameters, we have also:
𝑷𝟏 𝑻𝟏
=
𝑷𝟐 𝑻𝟐
The law indicates that there is a direct relationship between the
pressure and temperature of the substance. By holding the
volume constant, and by increasing the applied temperature
inside the piston cylinder assembly as shown in the figure below,
there exist to have an increase in pressure of the substance since
the expansion of the gas inside the piston cylinder assembly is
restricted.

Figure showing the relation of Pressure and Temperature following the

Gay-Lussac’s Law
where ‘n’ is the molecular weight of the specified substance.

Page | 58
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS
1. Find the mass of 1m3 of pure oxygen under std. atmospheric condition having a
temperature of 250C.

2. Find the mass of the Carbon Dioxide inside a 10ft3 reservoir tank having a
pressure of 20psia and a temperature of 2000F.

3. Air in the 10 m3 tank has a pressure of 500kPa and temperature of 400C. Determine
the mass of the air in the tank.

4. If air is at a pressure of 3200 lbf/ft2 and at the temperature of 8000R, what is the
air specific volume?

5. Determine the number of 0.25m3 tanks at 10kPag and 250C that can be filled by a
3m3 air reservoir having a gauge pressure of 120kPa at a temperature of 25 0C

6. At STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure), determine the diameter in meters

of a Hydrogen balloon (assumed to be spherical) that can lift a car weighing 1200kg.

7. An air bubble rises from the bottom of the well where the temperature is 20 0C to
the surface where the temperature is 500C. If the existing atmospheric pressure at
the
surface of the well water is 101.3kPa, determine the percent increase in volume of
the bubble if the pressure in the bottom of the well is 200kPag.

8. An automobile tire is inflated to 32psig pressure at 500F. After being driven, the
temperature rises to 750F. Determine the final gage pressure of the tire assuming the
volume remains constant.

Page | 59
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

9. Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen is placed each inside a 1m3 tank separated by an
isolation valve. Initially, Carbon dioxide has the following properties: P = 20kPag &
T = 250C and that Oxygen has the following properties: P = 30kPag & T = 75 0C. If
heat is being prevented to escape in the outside surroundings, determine the
resulting temperature of the mixture if it is found that after opening the isolation
valve, the resulting pressure on both tank is 25kPag.

10. Pressure cooker containing air at STP has been heated and after sometimes, it
was observed that the temperature inside the pressure cooker reached 250 0C.
Assuming the volume to remain constant, determine the force (kN) necessary to
compensate the safe opening of the pressure cooker lid if the diameter of the lid is
30cm.

11. A piston-cylinder assembly shown below is initially containing 2g of air at STP.

Heat is then added until the temperature of the air inside the system reaches 250 0C
and pressure of 3kPag. Determine the work done (kJ) by fluid due to expansion.
Calculate also the required spring constant (N/mm) necessary to compensate the
expansion of the cylinder.

Page | 60
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

3. THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF IDEAL GAS

Basic knowledge in identifying the properties of an ideal gas is to
determine the specific gas constant of the working substance as discussed in
the above topic. Next to consider is the relation of the specific heats of the
said substance. We previously know that it takes different amount of energy
to raise the temperature of identical masses of different substance by 1
degree. In general, this energy depends on how the process is executed. In
thermodynamics, we are interested into two kinds of specific heat: Specific
heat at constant volume (Cv) and specific heat at constant pressure (Cp). From the
process definition, specific heat at constant volume is the amount of energy
needed to raise the temperature of the unit mass by 1 degree by holding the
volume constant. Thus, from the process, there is no expansion to take place
and so, to compensate the specific amount of energy needed for such process,
we only need the internal energy of the system to be changed. Thus, to redefine
the internal energy, we will have:
∆𝐔 = 𝐦𝐂𝐕 ∆𝐓
or the change in internal energy of the substance is a product alone of the
change in temperature of the substance under constant volume process.
In similar way, specific heat at constant pressure is the amount of
energy needed to raise the temperature of the unit mass by 1 degree but
treating the pressure as constant. From the process, there is an expansion to
take place and so, to compensate the specific amount of energy needed for
such process, we need the internal energy and flow work to be changed. And from
the definition in the previous chapters, we need the total energy or enthalpy
to be changed. Thus, to redefine the enthalpy, we will have:
∆𝐇 = 𝐦𝐂𝑷 ∆𝐓
From the above statement, it was clearly defined that:
∆𝐇 = ∆𝐔 + ∆𝐏𝐕

Page | 61
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

From the previous equation shown in this chapter the above can be re-
stated as:
𝐦𝐂𝑷 ∆𝐓 = 𝐦𝐂𝐕 ∆𝐓 + 𝐦𝐑∆𝐓
Thus, we will have the relation as follow:
𝐂𝑷 = 𝐂𝐕 + 𝐑
From the above equation, it will be clearly defined that Cp is always
greater than Cv. That is, the unit mass of the working substance requires
lesser amount of energy to raise its temperature by one degree if the volume
will be held constant unlike if it is required to supply the amount of energy
to compensate the expansion of the substance as well.

Constant volume and Constant pressure specific heat (Cp and Cv)
Values given are for Helium gas
At this point, we introduce another ideal gas property called the
specific heat ratio ‘k’, defined as:
𝑪𝒑
𝒌=
𝑪𝒗
In the like manner, as much as applicable, we can use also the relation:

∆𝑯
𝒌=
∆𝑼

Page | 62
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS

1. At ordinary room temperature, it was found that specific heat ratio ‘k’ of air was
1.40. Estimate the R, Cp and Cv of air assuming that air content is solely composed
of 21% of Oxygen and the rest is Nitrogen.

2. Find the flow work done by Carbon Dioxide if its change in internal energy is
260kJ/kg. Use kCO2 = 1.29

3. A close rigid container has a volume of 1m3 and holds air at 344.8kPaa and 2730K.
Heat is added until the temperature is 6000K. Determine the change in internal
energy.

4. Oxygen at 200kpag, 570F is contained in a piston-cylinder device arranged to

maintain a constant pressure. Determine the work in Btu/lb produced by the system
when it is heated to 5270F.

5. A reservoir contains 2.83m3 of CO at 6895kPa and 23.60C. An evacuated tank is

filled from the reservoir to a pressure of 3497kPa and a temperature of 12.40C, while
the pressure of the reservoir decreases to 6205kPa and the temperature to 18.3 0C.
What is the volume of the tank?

Page | 63
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

CHAPTER PROBLEMS:

1. A 10ft3 rigid container contains ethane and pentane mixture having an equal mass. If
the condition under equilibrium is at STP, determine the density (lb/ft3) of the mixture.

2. A spherical balloon containing Oxygen (initially at sea level) has a diameter of 8in. If
the uniform density of air is 0.07498lb/ft3 and that the pressure at sea level is 14.7psia,
determine the new diameter (inch) of the balloon if it has been brought above sea level
by 6000ft

3. An ideal gas mixture that contains (% volume) 21% Hydrogen, 34% Octane, 5%
Oxygen and 40% methane undergo a certain process inside a closed rigid container
increasing the temperature by 1000F. Let the specific heat ratio for the mixture be 1.35,
determine the change in specific enthalpy (Btu/lb-0R)
4. To compensate the possibility of bursting in a 300,000Li tank containing octane
initially at 250C, it was integrated by a movable roof that allows the expansion of the
gas inside. If the designed temperature of the tank during the operation varies between
150C and 500C and the diameter of roof is 5000mm, determine the displacement
(millimeters) of the roof during the minimum and maximum operating temperature
assume that the pressure remains constant at atmospheric value for safety reason.

5. A 1,000,000ft3 reservoir that contains 31% of methane and 69% of propane (by
volume) having a pressure of 40psig is to be used to fill in evacuated retailer’s tank
whose volume is 5ft 3 and requiring a 25psig pressure. If the temperature will be held
constant at 770F during refilling, determine the number of tanks that can be filled in.

6. Oxygen used in oxy-acetylene metal cutting was stored in a tank (empty tank weight
is 25lb) whose volume is 48ft3. Initially, the gauge pressure reading of the tank was

Page | 64
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

40psi. After usage, the pressure reading falls to 25psi. Determine the final weight (lb)
of the tank after the operation if the temperature in the tank remains constant at 77 0F.

7. A reservoir contains 2.83ft 3 of CO2 at 760psia and 660F. An evacuated tank is filled
from the reservoir to a pressure of 300psia and a temperature of 400F while the pressure
of the reservoir decreases to 600psia and the temperature to 50 0F. What is the volume
(ft3) of the tank?

8. In a hot air balloon launch, it was known that the material used in the construction
amounts to 200kg and that the loading capacity of the cage was 250kg. If the hot air
balloon has to travel in air where the ambient temperature and pressure was 25 0C and
101.325kPaa, determine the minimum diameter (meters) of the balloon (assume to be
spherical) needed to course the air if the setting temperature of hot air inside the balloon
is 800C. Assume pressure inside the balloon to be atmospheric.

9. Determine the change in specific enthalpy (kJ/kg-K) of gaseous mixture of

21%gasoline and 79%methane (by volume) if the change in temperature is 600C. Let
ratio of specific heat for the mixture is k = 1.45

10. Consider the figure below. Each tank has a volume of 10ft 3. Conditions on each tank
is tabulated as follow:

Tank No. Content Pressure Temperature k

1 Octane 80psia 1600F 1.35

2 Butane 64psia 1240F 1.27

Page | 65
CHAPTER 4 IDEAL GAS, LAWS AND ITS PROPERTIES

All separation valves have been opened at the same time. Determine the resulting
temperature (0F) under equilibrium.

11. Consider the figure below. Each tank has a volume of 10ft 3. Conditions on each tank
is tabulated as follow:

Tank No. Content Pressure Temperature k

1 Methane 70psia 1600F 1.32

2 Propane 21psia 1240F 1.24

3 Hexane 43psia 1100F 1.39

All separation valves have been opened at the same time. Determine the resulting
temperature in 0F at equilibrium.

Page | 66