Chemistry

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Chemistry

Ideal Gas Example Problem

Worked Chemistry Problems

From Todd Helmenstine, for About.com

Question

6.2 liters of an ideal gas are contained at 3.0 atm and 37 °C. How many moles of this gas are present?

Solution

Step 1

The ideal gas law states

PV = nRT where

P = pressure
V = volume
n = number of moles of gas
R = gas constant = 0.08 L atm / mol K
T = absolute temperature in Kelvin

Step 1

Convert °C temperature to K

T = °C + 273

T = 37 °C + 273
T = 310 K

Step 2

Solve ideal gas law for number of moles

n = PV / RT

n = ( 3.0 atm x 6.2 L ) / ( 0.08 L atm /mol K x 310 K)
n = 0.75 mol

Answer

There are 0.75 mol of the ideal gas present in the system.

Explore Chemistry

More from About.com

Chemistry

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Chemistry
  4. Homework Help
  5. Worked Chemistry Problems
  6. Ideal Gas Example Problem - Worked Chemistry Problems

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.