Skip to main content
Chemistry LibreTexts

14.7: Avogadro's Law

  • Page ID
    53826
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    A flat tire is not very useful. It does not cushion the rim of the wheel and creates a very uncomfortable ride. When air is added to the tire, the pressure increases as more molecules of gas are forced into the rigid tire. The amount of air that should be put into a tire depends on the pressure rating for that tire. Too little pressure and the tire will not hold its shape. Too much pressure and the tire could burst.

    Avogadro's Law

    You have learned about Avogadro's hypothesis: equal volumes of any gas at the same temperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules. It follows that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to the number of moles of gas present in the sample. Avogadro's Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to the number of moles of gas, when the temperature and pressure are held constant. The mathematical expression of Avogadro's Law is:

    \[V = k \times n \: \: \: \text{and} \: \: \: \frac{V_1}{n_1} = \frac{V_2}{n_2}\nonumber \]

    (Where \(n\) is the number of moles of gas and \(k\) is a constant). Avogadro's Law is in evidence whenever you blow up a balloon. The volume of the balloon increases as you add moles of gas to the balloon by blowing it up.

    If the container holding the gas is rigid rather than flexible, pressure can be substituted for volume in Avogadro's Law. Adding gas to a rigid container makes the pressure increase.

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    A balloon has been filled to a volume of \(1.90 \: \text{L}\) with \(0.0920 \: \text{mol}\) of helium gas. If \(0.0210 \: \text{mol}\) of additional helium is added to the balloon while the temperature and pressure are held constant, what is the new volume of the balloon?

    Solution

    Step 1: List the known quantities and plan the problem.

    Known
    • \(V_1 = 1.90 \: \text{L}\)
    • \(n_1 = 0.0920 \: \text{mol}\)
    • \(n_2 = 0.0920 + 0.0210 = 0.1130 \: \text{mol}\)
    Unknown

    Note that the final number of moles has to be calculated by adding the original number of moles to the moles of added helium. Use Avogadro's Law to solve for the final volume.

    Step 2: Solve.

    First, rearrange the equation algebraically to solve for \(V_2\).

    \[V_2 = \frac{V_1 \times n_2}{n_1}\nonumber \]

    Now substitute the known quantities into the equation and solve.

    \[V_2 = \frac{1.90 \: \text{L} \times 0.1130 \: \text{mol}}{0.0920 \: \text{mol}} = 2.33 \: \text{L}\nonumber \]

    Step 3: Think about your result.

    Since a relatively small amount of additional helium was added to the balloon, its volume increases slightly.

    Summary

    • Avogadro's Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to the number of moles of gas, when the temperature and pressure are held constant.
    • Calculations are shown for relationships between volume and number of moles of a gas.

    This page titled 14.7: Avogadro's Law is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by CK-12 Foundation via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

    CK-12 Foundation
    LICENSED UNDER
    CK-12 Foundation is licensed under CK-12 Curriculum Materials License