Enter all but one of the pressure, volume, Van der Waals constants, ideal gas constant, and temperature into the Van Der Waals equation calculator to determine the unknown variable.
Van Der Waals Equation Formula
The Van Der Waals equation is used to describe the behavior of real gases, taking into account the intermolecular forces and the finite size of gas molecules. The equation is as follows:
(P + a/V^2)(V - b) = RT
Variables:
- P is the pressure of the gas
- V is the volume of the gas
- a is the Van der Waals constant for the gas
- b is the Van der Waals constant for the gas
- R is the ideal gas constant
- T is the temperature of the gas
To use the Van Der Waals equation calculator, substitute the values of pressure (P), volume (V), Van der Waals constants (a and b), ideal gas constant (R), and temperature (T) into the equation. Solve for the unknown variable.
What is a Van Der Waals Equation?
The Van Der Waals equation is a mathematical expression that describes the behavior of real gases, taking into account the finite size of molecules and the intermolecular forces between them. It is an improvement over the ideal gas law, which assumes that gas molecules have no volume and do not interact with each other. The Van Der Waals equation is expressed as [P + a(n/v)^2] * (v – nb) = nRT, where P is the pressure, v is the volume, n is the number of moles, R is the gas constant, T is the temperature, and a and b are constants specific to each gas. The term a(n/v)^2 accounts for the attractive forces between molecules, which reduce the pressure, and the term nb accounts for the finite volume of the gas molecules, which reduces the available volume for the gas to occupy.
How to Calculate Van Der Waals Equation?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Van Der Waals Equation:
- First, determine the values of the variables: pressure (P), volume (V), temperature (T), and the Van Der Waals constants (a and b).
- Next, substitute the values of P, V, T, a, and b into the Van Der Waals Equation: (P + a/V^2)(V – b) = RT.
- Next, simplify the equation by expanding and rearranging terms.
- Finally, solve for the unknown variable by isolating it on one side of the equation.
- After obtaining the solution, check your answer by substituting the values back into the original equation.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge:
Pressure (P) = 3 atm
Volume (V) = 2 L
Temperature (T) = 300 K
Van Der Waals constant (a) = 1.36 L^2 atm/mol^2
Van Der Waals constant (b) = 0.0427 L/mol
