Pressure of a gas - quick question.

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    Gas Pressure
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the pressure of a gas, its volume, and the surface area of its container, specifically under the assumption of constant temperature. Participants explore whether surface area impacts pressure and its relevance to the ideal gas law.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the pressure of a gas depends on the container's surface area as well as its volume, noting that this aspect is not included in the ideal gas law.
  • Another participant asserts that pressure does not depend on surface area.
  • A different participant suggests that surface area might be correlated with volume.
  • One participant explains that the ideal gas law does not consider the proximity of gas particles to any surface, implying that particle interactions with surfaces do not affect pressure.
  • A later reply acknowledges the initial confusion and clarifies that while larger surface areas may lead to more collisions, the collisions per unit of surface area remain constant, thus maintaining constant pressure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the influence of surface area on gas pressure, with no consensus reached on its relevance to the ideal gas law.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the behavior of gas particles and their interactions with surfaces remain unresolved, particularly regarding how surface area might influence pressure in practical scenarios.

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pressure of a gas -- quick question.

Does the pressure of a gas (assuming temperature is constant) depend on the container's surface area as well as its volume? And if so why isn't this factored into the ideal gas law?
 
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No, it does not.
 


Wouldn't the surface area be directly correlated with the volume?
 


The state of the particles is not assumed to be affected by proximity to any surface in the ideal gas law.
 


drakkith - Well sure. But I was thinking of how identical volumes can have different surface areas.

Thanks for the responses. I get it now. Even though more collisions will be happening in a volume with a larger surface area, the collisions per unit of surface area will remain constant (and thus so will pressure). Geometrically it makes sense.
 

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