Question

The ideal gas law is PV = nRT. Explain what each variable is in this equation and include a common unit used to measure that variable Variable P V n R T Property Pressure Unit Pa/bar/atmosphere L/cm3 mol atm*L/mol* K K. for property

Answer 1

The ideal gas law is represented as \(PV = nRT\), where each variable corresponds to specific properties of a gas. Here’s a breakdown of each variable, its meaning, and common units of measurement:

### Variables in the Ideal Gas Law:

1. **P (Pressure)**:
- **Meaning**: The pressure exerted by the gas on the walls of its container.
- **Common Units**:
- Pascals (Pa)
- Bar
- Atmospheres (atm)

2. **V (Volume)**:
- **Meaning**: The volume occupied by the gas.
- **Common Units**:
- Liters (L)
- Cubic centimeters (cm³)

3. **n (Number of moles)**:
- **Meaning**: The quantity of gas present, measured in moles.
- **Common Units**:
- Moles (mol)

4. **R (Ideal Gas Constant)**:
- **Meaning**: A proportionality constant that relates pressure, volume, temperature, and the amount of gas.
- **Common Units**:
- 8.314 J/(mol·K) (when using SI units)
- 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K) (when using liters and atm)
- Other forms depending on units used

5. **T (Temperature)**:
- **Meaning**: The absolute temperature of the gas in Kelvin.
- **Common Units**:
- Kelvin (K)

### Summary:
In the equation \(PV = nRT\):

- \(P\) is the pressure of the gas,
- \(V\) is the volume the gas occupies,
- \(n\) is the number of moles of the gas,
- \(R\) is the ideal gas constant,
- \(T\) is the absolute temperature of the gas in Kelvin.

This law allows for calculations involving the states of an ideal gas under various conditions of pressure, volume, and temperature.