Chapter 1: Problem 50
The quantity of \(\frac{\mathrm{PV}}{\mathrm{K}_{\mathrm{B}} \mathrm{T}}\) represents the: (a) Molar mass of a gas (b) Number of molecules in a gas (c) Mass of gas (d) Number of moles of a gas
Short Answer
Expert verified
The quantity represents the number of molecules in a gas; hence, option (b) is correct.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Variables
The given quantity is \( \frac{PV}{K_B T} \), where \( P \) is the pressure of the gas, \( V \) is the volume of the gas, \( K_B \) is Boltzmann's constant, and \( T \) is the temperature of the gas in Kelvin.
02
Review Relevant Formulas
Recall that the Ideal Gas Law is given by \( PV = nRT \) where \( n \) is the number of moles and \( R \) is the universal gas constant. Boltzmann's constant, \( K_B \), is related to \( R \) by the equation \( R = K_B N_A \), where \( N_A \) is Avogadro's number.
03
Relate the Expression to Known Concepts
Notice that \( \frac{PV}{K_B T} \) has a similar form to the Ideal Gas Law. Substituting \( R = K_B N_A \) into the Ideal Gas Law \( PV = nRT \) gives us \( PV = nK_B N_A T \).
04
Simplify the Expression
Rearranging our equation from Step 3, we have \( \frac{PV}{K_B T} = nN_A \). This simplifies further to \( N \), the total number of molecules, because \( nN_A \) equals the number of molecules in the gas.
05
Choose the Correct Option
From Step 4, we've determined that \( \frac{PV}{K_B T} \) equals the total number of molecules, thus the answer is option (b).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Ideal Gas Law
The Ideal Gas Law, represented by the equation \( PV = nRT \), is a fundamental principle in chemistry and physics that describes how gases behave under various conditions of pressure, volume, and temperature. Here, \( P \) stands for pressure, \( V \) is volume, \( n \) represents the number of moles of the gas, \( R \) is the universal gas constant, and \( T \) is the temperature measured in Kelvin.
The equation helps us understand how these variables relate to each other, making it possible to predict how a change in one variable might affect another. For instance:
The equation helps us understand how these variables relate to each other, making it possible to predict how a change in one variable might affect another. For instance:
- Increasing the temperature while keeping the volume constant will increase the pressure.
- Adding more gas molecules, thereby increasing \(n\), will increase the volume if pressure and temperature are held constant.
Boltzmann's Constant
Boltzmann's Constant, symbolized as \( K_B \), is a crucial equilibrium constant in physics due to its role in thermodynamics. It serves as a bridge between macroscopic and microscopic physical quantities. Its value is approximately \( 1.38 \times 10^{-23} \) J/K. This constant plays a significant role in connecting the kinetic energy of particles with the temperature of the gas:
- It helps to relate the energy at the molecular level to the temperature at the macroscopic level.
- It is used to derive the Ideal Gas Law at the molecular scale, providing a deeper understanding of gas behaviors.
Avogadro's Number
Avogadro's Number, represented by \( N_A \), is a fundamental constant in chemistry defined as \( 6.022 \times 10^{23} \text{mol}^{-1} \). Named after the scientist Amedeo Avogadro, this constant refers to the number of atoms, ions, or molecules contained in one mole of a substance.
Understanding Avogadro's Number is essential because:
Understanding Avogadro's Number is essential because:
- It provides a bridge between the atomic world and macroscopic amounts of substance used in everyday experiments and procedures.
- It's vital in stoichiometric calculations, which involve measuring the amount of reactants and products in chemical reactions.
Number of Molecules in a Gas
The concept of calculating the number of molecules in a gas is central to understanding gas behavior on both atomic and molecular levels. It can be directly related to the Ideal Gas Law by considering the expression \( \frac{PV}{K_B T} \). This calculation is crucial for several reasons:
- It helps determine the total number of molecules present in a given volume, connecting directly to the molar predictions made by the Ideal Gas Law.
- It allows scientists to communicate findings at an atomic scale, transforming macroscopic measurements like pressure and temperature into an understanding of individual particles.