Van Der Waals equation solving for V

[George3]

Homework Statement

P = RT/(V-b) - a/V^2

Ive been trying to solve this for V and just can't get it.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

IVe gotten to:
RTV^2 -aV+ab = P(V^3-V^2b)
Any Ideas?

 

[berkeman]

Homework Statement

P = RT/(V-b) - a/V^2

Ive been trying to solve this for V and just can't get it.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

IVe gotten to:
RTV^2 -aV+ab = P(V^3-V^2b)
Any Ideas?

Could you use more parenthesis to make the equation clearer? Or is its form just as written:

$$P = \frac{RT}{V-b} - \frac{a}{V^2}$$

 

[berkeman]

From your partial solution, it does look like that was the original form. Collect terms and factor for V would be the next steps...

$$()V^3 + ()V^2 + ()V + () = 0$$