An ideal gas is a theoretical concept that represents a gas composed of many randomly moving particles that are not subject to any force except during elastic collisions. The ideal gas law, which is a cornerstone in understanding ideal gases, is expressed as:\[ PV = nRT \]Here, \( P \) is the pressure, \( V \) is the volume, \( n \) is the number of moles, \( R \) is the ideal gas constant, and \( T \) is the temperature in Kelvin.
- The concept of an ideal gas helps us model real gases under many conditions though no real gas perfectly fits these criteria.
- Neon, like other noble gases, behaves very closely to an ideal gas at standard temperature and pressure.
Even though ideal gases are a simplification, using this model allows us to predict the behavior of gases under various situations. It is particularly useful in calculations involving entropy changes during different gas processes.