Ch. 8: The Gas Phase (Complete) Flashcards
why are gases classified as fluids?
because they can flow and take on the shapes of their containers
defn + aka + options: phases
the three different physical forms that matter can exist
aka: states
options: gas, liquid, solid
what are four characteristics of gas particles?
- the atoms or molecules in gas move rapidly
- they are far apart from each other
- only very weak intermolecular forces exist between gas particles
- easily, but not infinitely, compressible
what are the four variables that allow us to describe the state of a gaseous sample?
pressure (P)
volume (V)
temperature (T)
and number of moles (n)
what are the 4 common units of gas pressures + what are their conversions?
1 atm = 760 mmHg = 760 torr = 101.325 kPa
what is the SI unit for pressure?
pascal (Pa)
defn + unit: sphygmomanometer
medical devices that measure blood pressure
unit: mmHg
explain why the mercury rises in a barometer (4)
- atmospheric pressure creates a downward force on the pool of mercury at the base of the barometer while the mercury in the column exerts an opposing force (its weight) based on its density
- the weight of the mercury creates a vacuum in the top of the tube
- when the external air exerts a higher force than the weight of the mercury in the column, the column rises
- when the external air exerts a lower force than the weight of the mercury, the column falls
how can a reading be obtained on a barometer?
by measuring the height of the mercury column (in mm), which will be directly proportional to the atmospheric pressure being applied
is atmospheric pressure the only external pressure that can exert this force?
no! for example a clinical blood pressure cuff creates a force that is opposed by the person’s systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure
what units are typically used for volume of gas and temperature?
volume: liters, milliliters
temperature: kelvin, celsius sometimes
defn: standard temperature and pressure (STP)
many processes involving gases take place under these conditions
273 K (0 C) and 1 atm
defn: ideal gas
a hypothetical gas with molecules that have no intermolecular forces and occupy no volume
under what circumstances are real gases similar to ideal gases? different from ideal gases?
real gases deviate from this ideal behavior at HIGH pressures, LOW volumes, and LOW temperatures
many COMPRESSED real gases demonstrate behavior that is close to ideal
why do real gases deviate from gas laws at high pressures and low temperatures?
because of intermolecular forces or volume effects
eqn: ideal gas law
PV = nRT
P = pressure
V = volume
n = number of moles
T = temperature
R = ideal gas constant
what are the two values for the ideal gas constant, R? (don’t need to memorize, but recognize which to use)
what are the two circumstances that the ideal gas law is used for?
- determine the missing term when given all of the others
- calculate the change in a term while holding two of the others constant
what is the ideal gas law most commonly used to solve for?
volume and pressure at any given temperature and number of moles
what are two things you can use the ideal gas law to help solve for that you might not initially think of?
- gas density
- molar mass
defn + symbol: density
the ratio of the mass per unit volume of a substance
what unit is typically used for densities of gases?
g/L
how do we rearrange the ideal gas law to calculate the density of the gas?
a mole of an ideal gas at STP occupies what volume?
22.4 L
equation: combined gas law
where the subscripts 1 and 2 refer to the two states of the gas (at STP and at the conditions of actual temp and pressure, for example)