Basic Chemistry

Fourth Edition

Unit 3 Gases
The Ideal Gas Law
Learning Goal Use the ideal gas law equation to solve for
P, V, T, or n of a gas when given three of the four variables
in the ideal gas law equation. Calculate density, molar mass,
or volume of a gas in a chemical reaction.
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The Ideal Gas Law PV = nRT

The ideal gas law is a combination of the four
properties (P, V, n, and T), written as a single
expression: PV = nRT.
Rearranging the ideal gas law equation shows
that the four properties are equal to the gas
law constant, R, equal to 0.0821 L atm per
mol K.

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The Ideal Gas Law

Using a different unit for pressure, 760 mmHg,
gives us another value for R, 62.4 L mmHg, per
mol K.

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Guide to Using the Ideal Gas Law

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Learning Check
How many moles of N2 gas are present if the
sample occupies 215 mL at 0.813 atm and
30.0 C?

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Solution
How many moles of N2 gas are present if the
sample occupies 215 mL at 0.813 atm and
30.0 C?
Step 1 State the given and needed
quantities.
P
Given

Need
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0.813 atm 0.215 L

0.0821
30.0 C
L atm + 273
K mol = 303 K
? moles

Solution
How many moles of N2 gas are present if the
sample occupies 215 mL at 0.813 atm and
30.0 C?
Step 2 Rearrange the ideal gas law
equation to solve for the needed
quantity.

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Solution
How many moles of N2 gas are present if the
sample occupies 215 mL at 0.813 atm and
30.0 C?
Step 3 Substitute the gas data into the
equation and calculate the
needed
quantity.

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Learning Check
Butane, C4H10, is used as fuel for barbeques
and as an aerosol propellant. If you have
108 mL of butane at 715 mmHg and 25 C,
what is the mass, in grams, of butane?

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Solution
Given 108 mL of butane, C4H10, at 715 mmHg
and 25 C, what is the mass, in grams, of C4H10?
Step 1 State the given and needed quantities.

Given

715 mmHg

108 mL
(0.108 L)

Need

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? moles

62.4 L
mmHg
K mol

25 C
+ 273
= 298 K

Solution
Given 108 mL of butane, C4H10, at 715 mmHg
and 25 C, what is the mass, in grams, of C 4H10?
Step 2 Rearrange the ideal gas law equation to
solve for the needed quantity.

moles of C4H10
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Molar Mass

grams of C4H10

Solution
Given 108 mL of butane, C4H10, at 715 mmHg
and 25 C, what is the mass, in grams, of C4H10?
Step 3 Substitute the gas data into the
equation and calculate the needed
quantity.

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Molar Mass of a Gas

Another use of the ideal gas law is to determine
the molar mass of a gas. Dividing the mass of
gas by the moles of gas gives the molar mass of
the gas.
Given the mass, in grams, of gas, we can
calculate the number of moles of the gas using
the ideal gas law equation.

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Guide to Calculating the Molar Mass

of a Gas

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Learning Check
What is the molar mass, in grams per mole, of a
3.16-g sample of gas at 0.750 atm and 45 C,
that occupies a volume of 2.05 liters?

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Solution
What is the molar mass, in grams per mole, of a
3.16-g sample of gas at 0.750 atm and 45 C,
that occupies a volume of 2.05 liters?
Step 1 State the given and needed
quantities.
P
Given 0.750 atm

Need

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2.05 L

mass
= 3.16 g

0.0821
L atm
K mol

45 C
+ 273
= 318 K

? moles

Solution
What is the molar mass, in grams per mole, of a
3.16-g sample of gas at 0.750 atm and 45 C,
that occupies a volume of 2.05 liters?
Step 2 Rearrange the ideal gas law equation
to solve for the number of moles.

2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Solution
What is the molar mass, in grams per mole, of a
3.16-g sample of gas at 0.750 atm and 45 C,
that occupies a volume of 2.05 liters?
Step 2 Rearrange the ideal gas law equation
to solve for the number of moles.

2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Solution
What is the molar mass, in grams per mole, of a
3.16-g sample of gas at 0.750 atm and 45 C,
that occupies a volume of 2.05 liters?
Step 3 Obtain the molar mass by dividing
the given number of grams by the
number of moles.

2014 Pearson Education, Inc.