Problem 73 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

What property or properties of gases can you point to that support the assumption that most of the volume in a gas is empty space?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The low density and compressibility of gases, as well as the behavior described by the ideal gas law (\(PV = nRT\)), are properties that support the assumption that most of the volume in a gas is empty space. These properties indicate that gas particles are spread out and have a large amount of empty space between them.

Step 1: 1. Low density of gases

One major property of gases is that they have low density compared to solid or liquid phases. Density is defined as mass per unit volume, and as we know, gases have much lower mass in a given volume when compared to solids or liquids. This means that there is a significant amount of empty space between the gas particles, making gases occupy much larger volumes for the same amount of matter when compared to solids or liquids.

Step 2: 2. Compressibility of gases

Another property that supports the assumption of empty space in a gas is its compressibility. Gases can be easily compressed because there is a lot of empty space between gas particles. When a gas is compressed, the volume it occupies decreases, ultimately leading to an increase in pressure. The fact that gases can be compressed quite easily when compared to solids and liquids is a clear demonstration of the considerable amount of empty space available within a gas.

Step 3: 3. Ideal Gas Law

The ideal gas law, \(PV = nRT\), can also support our explanation. In this equation, P represents pressure, V represents volume, n is the number of moles, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature. If we keep all other variables constant and change the volume of a gas (for example, by compressing it), the pressure will adjust accordingly. As the pressure increases, the volume decreases, once again demonstrating the availability of empty space within a gas. In conclusion, the low density of gases, their compressibility, and the behavior described by the ideal gas law are properties that support the assumption that most of the volume in a gas is empty space. These properties are a result of gas particles being far apart from one another, providing a large amount of empty space between them.