Volume of 1 mole of Gas at STP

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the volume of one mole of gas at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP), specifically exploring why this volume is consistently 22.4 liters for ideal gases. Participants seek explanations beyond algebraic derivations, delving into the underlying principles of gas behavior and the implications of the ideal gas law.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the ideal gas law (pV=nRT) indicates that if temperature and pressure are constant, the volume must also be constant.
  • Others propose that the volume being the same for any ideal gas is due to the assumption that gas molecules are much smaller than the volume they occupy and that they collide elastically without intermolecular forces.
  • A participant mentions that a mole of any gas contains the same number of molecules (Avogadro's Number), suggesting this is a reason for the consistent volume at STP.
  • One participant challenges the idea that the density of a gas is fixed, stating that density varies with conditions and referencing the equation n/V = P/RT.
  • Another participant clarifies that for any specific temperature and pressure, the number of molecules per cubic meter remains the same for any gas or mixture of non-reacting gases, leading to further discussion on the interpretation of variables in the equations.
  • Questions arise about the derivation of the equation N=P/kT from PV=NkT, with participants discussing the implications of redefining variables.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the ideal gas law and the nature of gas density. There is no consensus on the interpretation of certain equations or the implications of gas behavior under varying conditions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of variables and the conditions under which the ideal gas law applies. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and clarifications that have not reached a definitive conclusion.

JSGandora
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Can anyone give an explanation (other than algebraically) as to why one mole of a gas under Standard Temperature and Pressure and behaves like an ideal gas will always have the same volume (22.4 L)?
 
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pV=nRT for an ideal gas, so if temperature and pressure are constant, then so is volume.

The reason the volume is the same for any ideal gas is because an ideal gas uses the assumption that the molecules are much smaller than the volume of the gas, and they collide elastically and there are no intermolecular forces, so for these reasons, the type of molecule won't affect the equation above.
 
JSGandora said:
Can anyone give an explanation (other than algebraically) as to why one mole of a gas under Standard Temperature and Pressure and behaves like an ideal gas will always have the same volume (22.4 L)?

A somewhat elliptical answer is that because a mole of Gas A will have exactly the same number of molecules (Avogadro's Number) as a mole of Gas B.

Moreover, for an Ideal Gas, you don't even have to stick with NTP. No matter what the temperature and no matter what the pressure, the number of molecules in a fixed volume will be exactly the same for any gas or any mixture of non-reacting gases.
 
klimatos said:
Moreover, for an Ideal Gas, you don't even have to stick with NTP. No matter what the temperature and no matter what the pressure, the number of molecules in a fixed volume will be exactly the same for any gas or any mixture of non-reacting gases.
I don't think you really meant what you said there. The density of a gas, or anything else for that matter, is not fixed.

In the case of a gas: n/V = P/RT

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
I don't think you really meant what you said there. The density of a gas, or anything else for that matter, is not fixed.

In the case of a gas: n/V = P/RT

AM

Andrew,

I can see how my wording might be interpreted in a way that I did not intend. What I meant was that for any specific temperature (T) and for any specific pressure (P), the number of molecules per cubic meter (n) is the same for any gas or any mixture of non-reacting gases.

n = P/kT​
 
klimatos said:
Andrew,

I can see how my wording might be interpreted in a way that I did not intend. What I meant was that for any specific temperature (T) and for any specific pressure (P), the number of molecules per cubic meter (n) is the same for any gas or any mixture of non-reacting gases.

n = P/kT​
Right. That is true only for any ideal gas, which I think is what you were trying to say.

AM
 
I understand that the number of molecules in an isolated system will remain the same, no matter what you expand the volume to, raise the temperature to etc.
But how can the equation N=P/kT (I'm going to assume you meant uppercase N for number of molecules there, rather than lowercase n for moles) be derived from PV=NkT; completely disregarding V?
 
Gavandeshaq said:
I understand that the number of molecules in an isolated system will remain the same, no matter what you expand the volume to, raise the temperature to etc.
But how can the equation N=P/kT (I'm going to assume you meant uppercase N for number of molecules there, rather than lowercase n for moles) be derived from PV=NkT; completely disregarding V?

klimatos has redefined the quantity "n" and is using it to denote "number of molecules per cubic meter" rather than "number of molecules" or "number of moles" alone.

So when he writes n=P/kT you should read it as n/V = P/kt.

Obviously that's algebraicly equivalent to PV=NkT.
 

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