Compare average distance between molecules to size of N2

[wololo]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

Pv=nRt

The Attempt at a Solution

I already calculated V for a single molecule = 3.99x10^-23 m^3 and the cubic root of this volume gives 3.42x10^-8 m. However, I don't understand what I should do next. What does it mean to compare the value I obtained to the "size" of a molecule? Thanks

 

[Borek]

I would start googling for "water molecule size". They want you to compare the volume calculated with experimental data describing the distance between atoms (plus some space for the electron cloud).

 

[wololo]

I looked up Van der Wall radius online (did not learn about it in class) and found how to measure the radius, diameter and volume of a specific molecule given it's experimentally measured constant b, but what puzzles me is that they ask me to compare the "size" (I assume van der wall volume?) of the molecule, a cubic meter value, with an unrelated one dimensional distance value. I feel as though they did not specify accurately enough what we need to do.

 

[Borek]

VdW radius is not a volume, it is length, just like the length you calculated. You are asked to compare the "radius" of a molecule (as determined experimentally) with the edge of a cube that such a molecule occupies in a gas. I see no ambiguity.