Chapter 10: Problem 97
Under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, which of the following gases would behave most ideally: \(\mathrm{Ne}, \mathrm{N}_{2},\) or \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\) ? Explain.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Neon (
Ne
) behaves most ideally due to its weak intermolecular forces.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the characteristics of ideal gases
Ideal gases are theoretical gases composed of many randomly moving particles that interact only through elastic collisions, meaning they do not attract or repel each other. The behavior of real gases approximates ideal gas behavior under conditions of low pressure and high temperature.
02
Analyze intermolecular forces
Under the same conditions, the ideality of gases depends on the nature and strength of the intermolecular forces. Noble gases, like neon (
Ne
e), have weak dispersion forces only, whereas
N_2
and
CH_4
have stronger intermolecular forces due to their larger molecular size and potential for additional interactions.
03
Comparison of molecular masses and sizes
Compare the molecular masses and sizes:
N_2
has a molar mass of 28 g/mol and
CH_4
has a molar mass of 16 g/mol, while
Ne
has a molar mass of 20 g/mol. Despite this,
Ne
is smaller and more spherical, leading to weaker intermolecular forces, closer to the ideal gas model.
04
Determine the gas most likely to behave ideally
Considering the above characteristics,
Ne
is most likely to behave as an ideal gas compared to
N_2
and
CH_4
. This is because
Ne
has the weakest intermolecular forces due to its small molecular size and only having dispersion forces, matching the assumptions of ideal gas behavior more closely.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular forces are the attractions or repulsions between molecules, which affect how gases behave. The force's strength depends on the type of molecules and how they interact. These forces include:
- Dispersion Forces: These are the weakest type and occur in all molecules due to temporary shifts in electron density. Even non-polar molecules such as noble gases have these forces.
- Dipole-Dipole Interactions: These occur in polar molecules where there is a permanent dipole moment.
- Hydrogen Bonds: A special type of dipole-dipole interaction involving molecules where hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative elements like fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen.
Noble Gases
Noble gases are a group of chemical elements with similar properties found in group 18 of the periodic table. These gases include helium (\( \mathrm{He} \)), neon (\( \mathrm{Ne} \)), argon (\( \mathrm{Ar} \)), krypton (\( \mathrm{Kr} \)), xenon (\( \mathrm{Xe} \)), and radon (\( \mathrm{Rn} \)). These elements are characterized by:
- Full Valence Shells: Noble gases have complete electron shells, making them chemically inert.
- Poor Reactivity: Their full valence shells give them little tendency to gain or lose electrons, making noble gases stable and unreactive.
- Single Molecule Size: Each noble gas molecule is just a single atom, minimizing their size and maximizing their efficiency as ideal gas analogs.
Elastic Collisions
The term "elastic collisions" describes an important characteristic of ideal gases, where gas molecules encounter each other and the walls of their container without losing energy. Understanding elastic collisions involves:
- Energy Conservation: During these collisions, the total kinetic energy of the system remains constant.
- No Loss of Speed: Post-collision, the involved gas particles maintain their speed, ensuring constant motion throughout.
- Random Movement: Ideal gas particles move randomly, ensuring even distribution of speed and direction over time.