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THE IDEAL GAS LAW



matter: TOC for Knowledge Concepts, Exercises, and Solutions



 P = nkT    (pressure = number density * a constant * temperature)

PV = NRT   (pressure * volume = number of moles * a constant * temperature)

These two equations are different
versions of the Ideal Gas Law, which relates the pressure, volume, density 
and temperature of gaseous matter in a given container or environment.
R and k are constants of proportionality.  "Number density" is given in
units of number of particles (e.g. gas molecules) in a given volume. Remember
that temperature must be given in Kelvin - that is, a temperature scale where
zero degrees is absolute zero.


Remember that one mole = 6.023 * 10^23 (for most calculations, 
6 * 10^23 is close enough).  At standard temperature and pressure 
(S.T.P.), one mole of gas particles occupies a volume of 22.4 liters 
(that is, 22400 cubic cm or 0.0224 cubic meter).  

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