Physical Chemistry-Gas Laws (Find R and M)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the gas constant R and the molar mass of oxygen (O2) using data from Atkins' Physical Chemistry, 9th Edition. The user successfully calculated R as 0.0820614 dm3 atm/K mol by applying the formula R = (Vm P) / T and extrapolating using linear regression. However, the user encountered difficulties in determining the molar mass due to the absence of density data in the current edition of the textbook, which complicates the application of the ideal gas law.

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  • Understanding of the Ideal Gas Law
  • Familiarity with linear regression techniques
  • Knowledge of molar volume (Vm) calculations
  • Proficiency in using physical chemistry textbooks, specifically Atkins Physical Chemistry
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Students and educators in physical chemistry, particularly those studying gas laws and seeking to understand the calculations involved in determining gas constants and molar masses.

bluegreen
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Thanks ahead of time for any help!

Homework Statement


From Atkins Physical Chemistry text, 9th Edition:
1.7b) The following data has been obtained for oxygen gas at 273.15 K. Calculate the best value of the gas constant R from them and the best value of the molar mass of O2 (oxygen).

p(in atm)
P1=0.750 000
P2= 0.500 000
P3=0.250 000

Vm [molar volume] (in dm^3/mol)
Vm1= 29.8649
Vm2=44.8090
Vm3=89.6384

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



To find R, I used R= (Vm P)/ T to find the different Rs for each set of data, then used y=mx+b (using data points [P, R]) to extrapolate back to when p=0 (when ideal gas is most accurate; so that means the y intercept which was equivalent to R).

I know you can just graph it and get the same result. Either way, I got R= 0.0820614 dm^3 atm/K mol.

Now I'm lost. How do I set it up to find molar mass? Do I extrapolate using a graph again? I'm not given density, so it throws a wrench in a lot of the equations I tried using, like:
Vm= M/ density = RT/P= V/n
 
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No idea - I can't think of any approach that will let calculate molar mass from the given data.

That's to let you know someone actually read your post and spend a moment thinking how to help.

It can always be an error in the book. I can be also missing something.
 
Thanks. I know that in the old editions, density is given, but density was omitted for the 9th edition. Not sure if it was a mistake or if it was to make the question trickier!
 
Must be mistake then.

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