Calculating the Volume of Argon Gas Using the Ideal Gas Law

What volume does 5.00 g of argon gas occupy at 1.20 atm and 15.0°C?

How can we determine the volume of argon gas using the ideal gas law equation?

Answer:

The volume of 5.00 g of argon gas at 1.20 atm and 15.0°C can be calculated using the ideal gas law equation. By converting the temperature to Kelvin and finding the number of moles, we can determine the volume of the gas.

Reflecting on the process of calculating the volume of a gas using the ideal gas law can provide valuable insight into how gases behave under specific conditions. In this scenario, we are tasked with finding the volume of 5.00 g of argon gas at a pressure of 1.20 atm and a temperature of 15.0°C.

The first step in solving this problem is to convert the temperature from Celsius to Kelvin. This conversion is essential because the ideal gas law equation requires temperature in Kelvin for accurate calculations. By adding 273.15 to the Celsius temperature, we can obtain the temperature in Kelvin.

Next, we need to determine the number of moles of argon gas present in the sample. This can be done by using the molar mass of argon, which is 39.95 g/mol. By dividing the mass of the sample by the molar mass of argon, we can calculate the number of moles of gas.

Once we have the temperature in Kelvin and the number of moles of argon gas, we can rearrange the ideal gas law equation to solve for the volume of the gas. Substituting the values of pressure, temperature, number of moles, and the ideal gas constant into the equation allows us to calculate the volume of the argon gas at the given conditions.

By following these steps and understanding the principles of the ideal gas law, we can accurately determine the volume of a gas under specific pressure and temperature conditions. This process is not only essential for solving specific problems but also provides valuable insights into the behavior of gases in various situations.