1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Chemistry

Ideal Gas Example Problem

Worked Chemistry Problems

From Todd Helmenstine, About.com Guest

Question

6.2 liters of an ideal gas are contained at 3.0 atm and 37 °C. How many moles of this gas are present?

Solution

Step 1

The ideal gas law states

PV = nRT where

P = pressure
V = volume
n = number of moles of gas
R = gas constant = 0.08 L atm / mol K
T = absolute temperature in Kelvin

Step 1

Convert °C temperature to K

T = °C + 273

T = 37 °C + 273
T = 310 K

Step 2

Solve ideal gas law for number of moles

n = PV / RT

n = ( 3.0 atm x 6.2 L ) / ( 0.08 L atm /mol K x 310 K)
n = 0.75 mol

Answer

There are 0.75 mol of the ideal gas present in the system.

Explore Chemistry

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Chemistry
  4. Homework Help
  5. Worked Chemistry Problems
  6. Ideal Gas Example Problem - Worked Chemistry Problems>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.