# 9.1: Gas Properties

## Introduction

n this Chapter we will take a look into the gas phase. We will start with covering basic gas properties and then learn several "equations of state", which are mathematical equations that relate measurable values like the volume, pressure and temperature of a gas to the quantity of particles (n) in the gas.

## Characteristics of Gases

1. Fluid - A gas is a fluid and will take the shape of a container it fills. There is zero viscosity (resistance to flow) and it fills the entire container.
2. Compressible - The density of a gas changes as its volume changes. Thus, unlike incompressible solids or liquids, density alone can not be used to help identify a gas. That is, liquid water has a density of 1g/ml at normal temperature and pressure, and so that can be used to help identify a substance as water. But gaseous water (water vapor) fills a container, its density depends on the size of the container.
3. Gases Form Solutions - Gas forms homogenous mixtures. Note, for liquid phase solutions we often identify a solvent and a solute, where the solute is dissolved in the solvent to form a solution. We usually consider the solvent to be the substance in greatest quantity, and an aqueous solution is one where water is the solvent. This is because the "space" of matter is being occupied by the liquid particles (which is why they are incompressible). In the gas phase, most of the "space" of matter is the "void" (which is why gasses are compressible), and so it is not normal to consider gas phase solutions to have a solute and solvent. Instead we use the concept of mole fraction to identify the relative proportions of different species in a gas mixture.

## Measuring Gases: State Variables

State Variables - an equation of state relates measurable state variables to the number of gas particles. The Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT) is an equation of state that relates the measurable state variables of Pressure, Temperature and Volume to the number of particles. There are other equations of state and we will discuss some at the end of the Chapter, but this course will expect a mastery of the ideal gas equation of state.

PV=nRT
P=Pressure, V=Volume, n=moles, T=Temperature (Kelvin)
R=0.08206(l-atm/mol-K) = 8.314J/(mol-K)

### Pressure

Pressure is defined as force per unit area, $P=\frac{F}{A}$ and the SI unit is the Pascal.
$Pa=\frac{1N}{m^{2}}=\frac{1kg}{m\cdot s^{2}}$

Note, the above definition if founded on the SI base units (kg, s and m) and since May of 2019 these have been defined by the 7 defined constants of nature (section 1B.3.1.2), with the relevant units being the Cs hyperfine transition frequency (atomic clock), speed of light in a vacuum and Boltzmann's constant. Of course we will use more practical definitions here, and the important thing to note is any measurable quantity can be traced back to the 7 SI Base units

This pressure of a gas can be understood by visualizing gas particles in constant motion, as exemplified in Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$.

It is more common to see pressure described in atm or torr (mm Hg), which are the units we will predominantly use in this class, and have macroscopic definitions that are more easily measured. Table 10.1.1 shows the common units of pressure, and their conversion factors.

 1 atm = 760 torr 1 atm = 760 mm Hg 1 atm = 14.7 lb/in2 1 atm = 101,325 Pa

Note, because all values in table $$\PageIndex{1}$$ are set to one atmosphere, you can go directly between the other units (14.7 lb/in2 = 1.01x105 Pa = 760 torr...)

#### Atmosphere (unit)

One atmosphere of pressure is roughly the pressure felt at sea level by earth's atmosphere, as is shown in Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$. Note, this is not an easily reproducible value because the force felt on the earth changes over both your location and time. This YouTube from the National Naval Aviation Museum does a good job of showing how the air pressure changes as a function of altitude. That is, at the top of Mt Everest (about 5.5 miles high) there is a smaller column of air above you and so the pressure is less than at sea level, while in the Salton Sea CA (-228 ft) the pressure is higher than at sea level.

But also, because the atmosphere of the earth is really a mixture of gasses (mostly nitrogen and oxygen), with many species like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and air pollutants varying over time, so the mass of the column changes over time. So although the concept of an atmosphere of pressure is easy to understand, and it is important because reactions that occur on the surface of the earth occur at around one atmosphere of pressure, its variance over time and location makes it impractical to develop a scale on.

Video $$\PageIndex{1}$$: YouTube from State Climate Office of NC demonstrating how the force of atmospheric pressure can collapse an empty can.https://youtu.be/QVayky_b-6U

In the above video, water vapor displaced the air when the water was boiled on the hotplate.  It was then inverted and placed in an ice bath such that the opening was under the water surface, this caused the water vapor to condense and a vacuum was formed since there was no way for air to enter, and so the pressure on the inside became less than on the outside, and at some point it became great enough to collapse the can.

#### Torr (unit)

The torr or mm Hg is a reproducible definition of pressure based on the height of a column of mercury, and can be used to make an instrument to measure atmospheric pressure, the barometer. Using the conversion factor of 1 atm = 760 mm Hg, we could calibrate the barometer in units of atm. This is illustrated in Figure 10.1.3, where the height of the mercury column is dependent on the atmospheric pressure. If the atmospheric pressure is one atm the column is exactly at 760 mm Hg (760 torr). On a humid day the pressure outside goes up and the system is no longer at equilibrium, which forces the mercury up the tube (greater than 760 torr) until they balance out. On an arid day it lowers until they balance out.

Figure $$\PageIndex{3}$$ gives a feel for how pressure can be measured. If the atmospheric pressure is higher than that due to the column of mercury it will push the column up until they are equal, if it is less, the column of mercury will go down until they are equal. For this to work, the mercury must be an incompressible fluid so that the mass of mercury in the column is proportional to the height of the column.

The following video from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) shows how to make a mercury barometer.

## Test Yourself

Homework: Section 9.1

Exercise $$\PageIndex{1}$$

Why do you think the column of mercury is 744 mm Hg in the above youtube from NCSSM?