Gas Laws Summary

Gas Laws

Key Concepts

  • Kelvin Scale: Use Kelvin for all gas law problems. K=°C+273K = °C + 273. Zero Kelvin (absolute zero) means no molecular movement.
  • Pressure Units: Various units exist; convert as needed. 1atm=1.01325×105Pa=101.325kPa=760mmHg=760torr=14.7psi1 atm = 1.01325 \times 10^5 Pa = 101.325 kPa = 760 mmHg = 760 torr = 14.7 psi
  • STP (Standard Temperature & Pressure): 0°C=273K0° C = 273 K and 1atm=760mmHg1 atm = 760 mmHg

Basic Gas Law Equations

  • Boyle's Law: P<em>1V</em>1=P<em>2V</em>2P<em>1V</em>1 = P<em>2V</em>2 (Temperature and # moles held constant; Indirect/Inverse relationship)
  • Charles' Law: V<em>1T</em>1=V<em>2T</em>2\frac{V<em>1}{T</em>1} = \frac{V<em>2}{T</em>2} (Pressure and # moles held constant; Direct relationship)
  • Gay-Lussac's Law: P<em>1T</em>1=P<em>2T</em>2\frac{P<em>1}{T</em>1} = \frac{P<em>2}{T</em>2} (Volume and # moles held constant; Direct relationship)
  • Avogadro's Law: V<em>1n</em>1=V<em>2n</em>2\frac{V<em>1}{n</em>1} = \frac{V<em>2}{n</em>2} (Pressure and temperature held constant; Direct relationship)
  • Combined Gas Law: P<em>1V</em>1T<em>1=P</em>2V<em>2T</em>2\frac{P<em>1V</em>1}{T<em>1} = \frac{P</em>2V<em>2}{T</em>2} (# of moles held constant; Combines most common variables)