Chem 101 – Lecture Notes for Chapter 5

In Chapter 5 you are responsible for sections 5.1-5.6, we do not cover 5.7 and 5.8.

5.1 Gases.

Only 11 elements exist as a gas at room temperature and 1 atmosphere pressure: the noble
gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn), and hydrogen (as H2), oxygen (as O2 or O3, ozone), nitrogen
(as N2), fluorine (as F2) and chlorine (as Cl2). With the exception of mercury (Hg) and
bromine (Br), which are liquids, all other elements are solids at room temperature.

Some other common gases are listed in Table 5.1. Note that of the compounds in this list,
HF, HCl, HBr and HI as gases exist as molecular compounds. All four are soluble in water,
and when dissolved they act as electrolytes, and we also give them a different name, for
instance HCl(g) = hydrogen chloride but HCl(aq) = hydrochloric acid.

5.2 Pressure, SI and common units.

The molecules of a gas move around relatively independently at high speed, typically at
room temperature nitrogen (N2) molecules have speeds of approximately 500 m/s! When
they collide with the wall they exert a pressure. Pressure is defined as;
force
p=
area
The pressure of a gas can be expressed in several ways.

1. In the SI international system of measurements (from French, Système International, or SI)

pressure is defined as the pascal, Pa:
1 newton
1 Pa=
m2 or Pa = N/m2
2. In the common system, we use the unit of atmosphere (atm), the average air pressure at sea
level:
1 atm = 101,325 Pa

3. In older instruments, pressure was measured using a mercury (Hg) barometer or

manometer, as the difference in the level of liquid mercury between a side exposed to the
atmosphere and a side under vacuum, as shown in Chang figures 5.3 (p.173) and 5.4 (p.174).
For this reason pressure is still often expressed as mm Hg also called Torr (named after the
Italian physicist Torricelli):

1 torr = 1 mm Hg 760 mm Hg = 1 atm

In modern instruments pressure is measured by means of a pressure transducer, measuring

the force on a strain gauge attached to a surface that bends under the pressure applied. The
force on the strain gauge is measured as a difference in electric resistance, and converted

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electronically directly into a readout of pressure units. Therefore modern instruments no
longer use barometer tubes filled with liquid mercury, a very toxic material.

Examples.
1. How many atm is a pressure of 45 mm Hg?
Answer:
1 atm
45 mmHg x =0 . 059 atm
760 mmHg
2. How many pascal (Pa) is 2.50 atm?
Answer:
101 ,325 Pa
2.50 atm x =2 .53 x10 5 atm
1 atm (note the 3 significant figures!)
3. How many mm Hg is 6.95x104 Pa?
Answer:
1 atm 760 mmHg
6 .95 x 104 Pa x x =5 .21 x102 mmHg or 521 mmHg
101 ,325 Pa 1 atm

5.3 The equation of state for an ideal gas (Chang sections 5.3 and 5.4, pp. 175-190)

When we have a certain volume of gas contained in a volume V, and at a temperature T, the
pressure p is determined by the equation of state, the relation between p, V and T.:

An equation of state is the relation between pressure (p), volume (V), and absolute
temperature (T) for a given quantity of material. We define an ideal gas as a substance that
follows the equation of state:
pV = nRT

in this equation, n = number of moles of gas, and R is a proportionality constant called the
universal gas constant. The absolute temperature T is expressed in Kelvin:
0 oC = 273.15 K or K = oC + 273.15

The physical interpretation of an ideal gas, other than following the equation pV = nRT, is
that the molecules are assumed not to have a volume, and there are no attractive or repulsive
interactions between molecules, in other words the molecules move completely
independently.

The ideal gas equation shows the relation between the four variables, p, V, T and n, with R
the proportionality constant between these four variables. The ideal gas equation is the
modern way to represent the historical gas laws:

Boyle’s law: pV = constant (at constant temperature)

Charles’ law: V/T = constant (at constant pressure)
Gay Lussac’s law P/T = constant (at constant volume)
Avogadro’s law V = constant x n (p and T constant)

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There is no need to remember the names associated with these four proportionality relations
for an ideal gas, they are all four directly contained in the ideal gas law pV = nRT.

Units
In calculations of volume, pressure, temperature, and number of moles of a gas using the
ideal gas law it is important to be consistent with the use of units..

1. Using the SI system.

From p(Pa)V(m3) = n(mol)RT(K) we see that R = pV/nT has the units Pa.m3/mol.K.
Since Pa = N/m2, in SI R has the units N.m/mol.K = J/mol.K. R = 8.314 J/mol.K

2. Using the common, L atm, system.

From p(atm)V(L)= n(mol)RT(K) we see that R = pV/nT has the units L.atm/mol.K. In this
system R = 0.08201 L.atm/mol.K

In summary:
1. the SI system, p in Pa, V in m3, T in K, and n in moles, R = 8.314 J/mol.K
2. the L atm system, p in atm, V in L, T in K, and n in moles, R = 0.08206 L.atm/mol.K

We can now do all the standard gas law problems. In each of these type of problems, we
know three of the four variables (p, V, n and T), and have to find the fourth.

Examples.
1. Calculate the volume occupied by 1 mol of an ideal gas at 0oC and p = 1 atm.
Answer.
Use the ideal gas law, but make sure to convert oC to K; 0oC = 273. K. We know p, T and n
and have to find V:
V = nRT/p = 1(mol)x0.08206x273./1(atm) = 22.4 L
T = 0 oC, p = 1 atm is called standard temperature and pressure, or “STP”. Therefore, 1
mol of an ideal gas at STP occupies a volume of 22.4 L. The number 22.4 L as the volume
of 1 mol at STP is easily remembered, but note that this is the volume of 1 mol of gas only
when p = 1 atm and T = 273K or 0oC!

2. What is the pressure of 0.22 g of CO2 gas in a volume of 150 mL and with T = 25oC?
Answer.
Of the four variables, we now know n (= g CO2/Molar Mass), V and T, and we need to find
p. n = 0.22/44 = 0.0050 mol CO2. T = 25 + 273 = 298K. V = 150/1000 L. Once again we use
pV = nRT with R = 0.08206 in the L atm system:
p = nRT/V = 0.0050x0.08206x298./0.150 = 0.815 atm

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3. How many moles, and how many grams of N2 are present in 1.0 m3 of nitrogen with p =
0.80 atm and T = 300K?
Answer.
Now we need to find first n (p, V and T are known), then convert that to mass. p = 0.80 atm,
V = 1.0m3x 1000L/(1 m3) = 1000 L, T = 300K
n = pV/RT = 0.80x1000/0.08206x300 = 32.5 mol
m = 32.5mol x 28.0 g/mol = 9.1x102 g or 910 g.

4. A certain amount of O2 gas is contained in a volume of 2.0 L at 25 oC and has a pressure

of 3.5 atm. The gas is heated to 200 oC and the volume is increased to 3.0 L. Calculate the
new pressure.
Answer.
Method 1: we see this as a problem in which we go from V1 (2.0 L), T1 (298K) and p1 (3.5
atm) to a new volume V2 (3.0 L), T2 (473K) and want to find the new pressure p2. Since the
quantity of gas, n, has remained constant (n1 = n2) , we can write the ideal gas law as:
p1 V 1 p2 V 2
=
T1 T2 3.5x2.0/298 = p2x3.0/473 → p2 = 3.7 atm.
Method 2: Alternatively, we can calculate n from p1 V1 T1:
n = p1V1/RT1 = 3.5x2.0/0.08206x298 = 0.29 mol
Then find p2 from p2V2 = nRT2 or p2 = nRT2/V2 = 0.29x).08206x473/3.0 = 3.7 atm
Of course we get the same answer!

Gas Density and Molar Mass

n p
=
The ideal gas law pV = nRT can be re-arranged to: V RT
mass p . MM
=
With n = mass/MM we find: V RT mass/V is the gas density, d:
p .MM
d=
RT (Note that Chang uses the symbol M when we use MM)
This equation allows us to calculate the gas density if we know the Molar Mass of the gas
and the pressure and temperature. With p in atm., R in L.atm/mol.K, T in K and MM in
g/mol, d will be expressed as g/L.

Alternatively, if we know the gas density d (in g/L), p and T we find the Molar Mass:
dRT
MM=
p
Note that when we have d in g/L MM will be in g/mol.

If we use the SI system consistently in the density equations, p is in Pa, d in kg/m3, R = 8.314
J/mol.K, T is in K, and MM will be in kg/mol.

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Examples.
1. Calculate the density of nitrogen gas at 750 mm Hg, 27 oC..
Answer:
We can use the equation for d: d = pxMM/RT. We know p, MM and T and can calculate d.
First we make sure we have the correct units: p = 750 mmHg = 750/760 atm; T = 273 + 27 =
300K; MM = 28 g/mol
750 g
(atm) x 28 ( )
760 mol g
d= =1 .12
L . atm L
0 . 08206( ) x 300 K
mol . K d = 1.12 g/L

We could also have used the SI unit system:

d = (750x101.325/760)(Pa)x28(g/mol)/{8.314(J/mol.K)x300K) → d = 1.12x103 g/m3 = 1.12
g/L. Of course we get the same answer!

2. The density of an unknown gas measured at 35 oC and p = 745 mm Hg is found to be 1.70

g/L. Calculate the Molar Mass (g/mol) of the gas.
Answer.
g L. atm
1 .70( )x 0 .08206 ( ) x 308( K )
dRT L mol . K g
MM= = =44
p 745 mol
(atm)
760

4. Gas volumes in chemical reactions (gas stoichiometry) (Chang section 5.5, pp. 190-
192)

In chemical reactions involving gases, we do not normally weigh the gas, but collect the gas
and measure its volume at a certain temperature or pressure. Thus, if we have a reaction
reactant →product(gas), rather than using

g reactant →mol reactant →mol product→g product,

since now the product is a gas, we now use

g reactant→mol reactant→mol product →V(gas).

As always in stoichiometry calculations, make sure to balance the reaction first.

Examples
1. 5.3 g sodium carbonate is heated and decomposes to form sodium oxide and
carbondioxide(g). Calculate the volume of CO2(g) formed at p = 740 mm Hg and T = 20 oC.
Answer.
First we balance the reaction: Na2CO3(s) →Na2O(s) + CO2(g)

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 1 mol Na2 CO 3 1 mol CO 2
5 .3 gNa2 CO 3 x x =0. 050 mol CO 2
106 g Na2 CO 3 1 mol Na 2 CO 3 formed.
With ngas = 0.050, p = 740/760 atm and T = 293K we can now calculate the volume:

V = nRT/p = 0.05x0.08206x293/(740/760) = 1.23 L CO2(g)

2. 0.65 g Mg(s) is dissolved in 100 mL 1.0 M HCl. Calculate the volume of hydrogen gas
formed when p = 0.95 atm and T = 23 oC.
Answer.
The balanced reaction is: Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
First we have to determine the limiting reagent.
0.65 g Mg = 0.65/24.3 = 0.0267 mol 100 mL 1.0M HCl = 0.100x1.0 = 0.10 mol
HCl.
0.0267 mol Mg would react with 2x0.0267 = 0.0534 mol HCl. We have 0.10 mol HCl so
HCl is in excess and the 0.0267 mol Mg is the limiting reagent. From the balanced reaction
we know that 0.0267 mol Mg → 0.0267 mol H2, so ngas = 0.0267 mol.

Once again V = nRT/p = 0.0267x.08206x296/0.95 = 0.68 L. (make sure to check the units,
and always show the units in your answer!)

5. Gas mixtures, partial pressure (Chang section 5.6, pp. 192-196)

When we have a mixture of gases, and when the mixture behaves as an ideal gas, the ideal
gas law holds for each component of the mixture as well as for the total mixture. This is
because in an ideal gas there are no interactions between the molecules, therefore each
component behaves as if it was occupying the volume by itself.

Let’s say that we have a mixture of two gases A and B, nA moles of gas A and nB moles of
gas B together in the same volume V, and the mixture is at a temperature T (of course the
two gases in the mixture have the same temperature). The pressure of gas A in the mixture,
pA is called the partial pressure of A, pB is the partial pressure of B.

The ideal gas law for gas A: pAV = nART (1)

The ideal gas law for gas B: pBV = nBRT (2)
The ideal gas law for the mixture# ptotalV = ntotalRT (3)
with ptotal = pA+ pB and ntotal =nA+ nB

We define the mole fraction of A as XA = nA/ntotal. Then:we see by dividing equ. (1) into equ.
(3) that:
pA = XAptotal
pB = XBptotal
and, in general: pi = Xiptotal

As an example, the major components in air are N2 (79% by volume), O2(20% by volume)
and (surprise?) Ar(1% by volume). % by volume means that if we have the total volume at 1

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atm, the nitrogen when at 1 atm would occupy 79% of the volume, the oxygen at 1 atm 20%
of the volume, and the argon 1% of the volume. By Avogadro’s principle, equal volumes =
equal moles, therefore volume% = mole% = pressure%.

Therefore in air at 1 atm total pressure, pN2 = 0.79 atm, pO2 = 0.20 atm, and pAr = 0.01 atm.

Although water is almost always present in the atmosphere, its partial pressure is variable
(and in Qatar often very low!). For this reason H2O is usually not mentioned as a component
of air, even though it will certainly be present. When air is saturated with water vapour (i.e.,
when the humidity at a certain temperature is 100%), we speak of the water pressure as the
equilibrium vapour pressure of water. For instance, at 20 oC the vapour pressure of water is
17.5 mmHg. Vapour pressures of water increase with increasing temperature. Values of the
water vapour pressure at different temperatures are given in Chang Table 5.3, p. 196.

Examples.
1. Calculate the partial pressure of H2 and of N2, and the total pressure when 3.00 g H2 and
4.00 g N2 are mixed in a volume of 5.40 L at 300K.
Answer.
First we calculate the moles of each component.
nH2 = 3.00/2.00 = 1.50 moles H2. pH2 = 1.50x0.08206x300/5.40 = 6.84 atm
nN2 = 4.00/28.0 = 0.143 moles N2. pN2 = 0.143x0.08206x300/5.40 = 0.652 atm
ptotal = 6.84 + 0.652 = 7.49atm

2. Calculate the number of moles of NO2 and of N2O4 in 0.50 L of a NO2/N2O4 gas mixture
with XNO2 = 0.35. ptotal = 754 mm Hg, T = 138 oC.
Answer.
pNO2 = XNO2xptotal → pNO2 = 0.35x754 = 264 mmHg pN2O4 = 754 − 254 = 500 mmHg

nNO2 = pNO2V/RT = (264/760)x0.50/(0.08206x411) = 5.15x10−3 mol

nN2O4 = pN2O4V/RT = (500/760)x0.50/(0.08206x411) = 9.75x10−3 mol

3. A sample of oxygen gas at 75 oC saturated with water vapour has a total pressure of 0.97
atm. Look up the vapour pressure of water at this temperature and calculate the partial
pressure of oxygen in the sample.
Answer.
ptotal = 0.97 atm = pO2 + pH2O. From Table 5.3 we find pH2O = 289 mmHg. 289 mmHg =
289/760 = 0.380 atm.
pO2 = 0.97 −0.380 = 0.59 atm.

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Exercises.

1. Calculate the pressure in a 2.0 L cylinder filled with 6.4 g O2 at 37 oC.

2. How many moles of CO2 are present in a volume of 4.3 L CO2 gas with p = 980 mmHg
and T = 20oC?

3. Calculate the volume of CO2 gas formed at p = 740 mmHg, T = 27 oC when 5.0 g CaCO3 is
dissolved in excess HCl(aq).
The reaction is: CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2 + CO2(g) + H2O

4. 0.052 moles of a gas has a pressure of 1.32 atm at 127 oC. Calculate its volume at STP.

5. Calculate the density of CO2(g) at 20oC and 0.94 atm pressure.

6. The density of an unknown gas at 27 oC and p = 960 mmHg is 2.70 g/L. calculate the
Molar Mass of the unknown gas.

7. A gas mixture contains 0.20 mol CH4 and 0.42 mol N2. The total pressure is 1.12 atm.
Calculate the partial pressure of CH4 and N2 in the mixture.

8. A gas mixture with a total pressure of 780 mmHg is made up of 5.0 g O2 and 5.0 g Ar
(argon). Calculate the partial pressures of O2 and Ar in the mixture.

Answers. 1. 2.54 atm; 2. 0.23 mol; 3. 1.26L; 4. 1.16 L; 5. 1.72 g/L; 52.6 g/mol; 7. pCH4 = 0.36 atm, pN2 = 0.78
atm; 8. pO2 = 433, pAr = 347 mmHg.