Gas volume in calculations

The molar gas volume in calculations, moles, gas volumes and Avogadro's Lawstudy examples carefully
  • Avogadro's Law states that equal volumes of gases under the same conditions of temperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules.
    • So the volumes have equal moles of separate particles (molecules or individual atoms) in them.
    • Therefore one mole of any gas (formula mass in g), at the same temperature and pressure occupies the same volume .
    • This is 24dm3 (24 litres) or 24000 cm3, at room temperature of 25oC/298K and normal pressure of 101.3 kPa/1 atmosphere (such conditions are often referred to as RTP).
    • The molar volume for s.t.p is 22.4 dm3 (22.4 litres) at 0oC and 1atmosphere pressure.
    • Historically, s.t.p unfortunately stands for standard temperature and pressure, but these days 25oC/298K is usually considered the standard temperature (RTP).
  • Some handy relationships for substance Z below:
  • moles Z = mass of Z gas (g) / atomic or formula mass of gas Z (g/mol)
    • mass of Z in g = moles of Z x atomic or formula mass of Z
    • atomic or formula mass of Z = mass of Z / moles of Z
    • 1 mole = formula mass of Z  in g.
  • gas volume of Z = moles of Z x volume of 1 mole
    • rearranging this equation gives ...
    • moles of Z = gas volume of Z / volume of 1 mole
    • moles = V(dm3) / 24   (at RTP)
    • The latter form of the equation can be used to calculate molecular mass from experimental data because
      • moles = mass / molecular mass = gas volume / volume of 1 mole
      • mass / molecular mass = gas volume / volume of 1 mole
      • molecular mass = mass x volume of 1 mole/volume
      • therefore at RTP: Mr = mass(g) x 24 / V(dm3)
      • so, if you know the mass of a gas and its volume, you can work out moles of gas and then work out molecular mass.
      • This has been done experimentally in the past, but these days, molecular mass is readily done very accurately in a mass spectrometer.
  • Note (i): In the following examples, assume you are dealing with room temperature and pressure i.e. 25oC and 1 atmosphere pressure so the molar volume is 24dm3 or 24000cm3.
  • Note (ii):
    • Apart from solving the problems using the mole concept (method (a) below, and reading any equations involved in a 'molar way' ...
    • It is also possible to solve them without using the mole concept (method (b) below). You still use the molar volume itself, but you think of it as the volume occupied by the formula mass of the gas in g and never think about moles!
  • top sub-indexMethods of measuring how much gas is formed (volume can be compared with theoretical prediction!)
    • (a) methods of gas preparation - apparatus, chemicals and equation (c) doc b You can collect the gases in a calibrated gas syringe.
      • You must make sure too much gas isn't produced and too fast!
      • A gas syringe is more accurate than collecting the gas in an inverted measuring cylinder under water shown below, but its still only accurate to the nearest cm3.
      • You can collect any gas by this method.
    • (b) The gas is collected in a measuring cylinder filled with water and inverted over a trough of water.
      • You can get a more accurate result by using an inverted burette instead of a measuring cylinder.
      • However, this method is no good if the gas is soluble in water!
      • Burettes are calibrated in 0.10 cm3 intervals. measuring cylinders to the nearest cm3 or worse!
      • In both methods the reaction is carried out in conical flask fitted with a sealing rubber bung, but a tube enabling the gas evolved to be collected in some suitable container.
    • (c) A third method is to measure the gas loss by carrying out the reaction in a flask set up on an accurate one-pan electronic balance.
    • You need to put a cotton wool plug in the neck of the conical flask in case you lose any of the solution in a spray as the gas bubbles up - effervescence can produce an aerosol.
    • This method can be used for any reaction that produces a gas, but the gas is released into the laboratory, ok if its harmless.
    • It is potentially the most accurate method, BUT, the mass loss may be quite small especially hydrogen [Mr(H2) = 2], better for the 'heavier' gas carbon dioxide [MrCO2) = 44]
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.1
    • What is the volume of 3.5g of hydrogen? [Ar(H) = 1]
    • common thinking: hydrogen exists as H2 molecules, so Mr(H2) = 2, so 1 mole or formula mass in g = 2g
    • method (a)
      • so moles of hydrogen  = 3.5/2 = 1.75 mol H2 
      • so volume H2 = mol H2 x molar volume = 1.75 x 24 = 42 dm3 (or 42000 cm3)
      • -
    • method (b):
      • 2g occupies 24 dm3, so scaling up for the volume of hydrogen ...
      • 3.5 g will have a volume of 3.5/2  x 24 = 42 dm3 (or 42000 cm3)
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.2
    • Given the equation
    • MgCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) ==> MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) +CO2(g)
    • What mass of magnesium carbonate is needed to make 6 dm3 of carbon dioxide? [Ar's: Mg = 24, C = 12, O = 16, H =1 and S = 32]
    • method (a):
      • since 1 mole = 24 dm3, 6 dm3 is equal to 6/24 = 0.25 mol of gas
      • From the equation, 1 mole of MgCO3 produces 1 mole of CO2, which occupies a volume of 24 dm3.
      • so 0.25 moles of MgCO3 is need to make 0.25 mol of CO2 
      • formula mass of MgCO3 = 24 + 12 + 3x16 = 84,
      • so required mass of MgCO3 = mol x formula mass = 0.25 x 84 = 21g
      • -
    • method (b):
      • converting the equation into the required reacting masses ..
      • formula masses: MgCO3 = 84 (from above), CO2 = 12 + 2x16 = 44
      • MgCO3 : CO2 equation ratio is 1 : 1
      • so 84g of MgCO3 will form 44g of CO2 
      • 44g of CO2 will occupy 24dm3
      • so scaling down, 6 dm3 of CO2 will have a mass of 44 x 8/24 = 11g
      • if 84g MgCO3 ==> 44g of CO2, then ...
      • 21g MgCO3 ==> 11g of CO2 by solving the ratio, scaling down by factor of 4
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.3
    • 6g of a hydrocarbon gas had a volume of 4.8 dm3. Calculate its molecular mass.
    • method (a):
      • 1 mole = 24 dm3, so moles of gas = 4.8/24 = 0.2 mol
      • molecular mass = mass in g / moles of gas
      • Mr = 6 / 0.2 = 30
      • i.e. if 6g = 0.2 mol, 1 mol must be equal to 30g by scaling up
      • -
    • method (b):
      • 6g occupies a volume of 4.8 dm3
      • the formula mass in g occupies 24 dm3
      • so scaling up the 6g in 4.8 dm3
      • there will be 6 x 24/4.8 = 30g in 24 dm3 
      • so the molecular or formula mass = 30
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.4
    • Given the equation ... (and Ar's Ca = 40, H = 1, Cl = 35.5)
    • Ca(s) + 2HCl(aq) ==> CaCl2(aq) + H2(g)
    • What volume of hydrogen is formed when ...
      • (i) 3g of calcium is dissolved in excess hydrochloric acid?
      • (ii) 0.25 moles of hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium?
    • (i) method (a):
      • 3g Ca = 3/40 = 0.075 mol Ca
      • from 1 : 1 ratio in equation, 1 mol Ca produces 1 mol H2 
      • so 0.075 mol Ca produces 0.075 mol H2 
      • so volume H2 = 0.075 x 24 = 1.8 dm3 (or 1800 cm3)
      • -
    • (i) method (b):
      • from equation 1 Ca ==> 1 H2 means 40g ==> 2g
      • so scaling down: 3g Ca will produce 2 x 3/40 = 0.15g H2
      • 2g H2 has a volume 24 dm3, so scaling down ...
      • 0.15g H2 has a volume of (0.15/2) x 24 = 1.8 dm3 (or 1800 cm3)
      • -
    • (ii) method (a) only:
      • from equation: 2 moles HCl ==> 1 mole H2 (mole ratio 2:1)
      • so 0.25 mol HCl ==> 0.125 mol H2, volume 1 mole gas = 24 dm3 
      • so volume H2 = 0.125 x 24 = 3 dm3
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.5
    • Given the equation ... (and Ar's Mg = 24, H = 1, Cl = 35.5)
    • Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) ==> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
    • How much magnesium is needed to make 300 cm3 of hydrogen gas?
    • method (a)
      • 300 cm3 = 300/24000 = 0.0125 mol H2 (since 1 mol of any gas = 24000 cm3)
      • from the equation 1 mole Mg ==> 1 mole H2 
      • so 0.0125 mole Mg needed to make 0.0125 mol H2 
      • so mass of Mg = mole Mg x Ar(Mg)
      • so mass Mg needed = 0.0125 x 24 = 0.3g
      • -
    • method (b)
      • reaction ratio in equation is 1 Mg ==> 1 H2,
      • so reacting mass ratio is 24g Mg ==> 2g H2,
      • 2g H2 has a volume of 24000 cm3 (volume of formula mass in g)
      • so scaling down: mass Mg needed = 24 x (300/24000) = 0.3g
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.6
    • A small teaspoon of sodium hydrogencarbonate (baking soda) weighs 4.2g. Calculate the moles, mass and volume of carbon dioxide formed when it is thermally decomposed in the oven. Assume room temperature for the purpose of the calculation.
      • 2NaHCO3(s) ==> Na2CO3(s) + H2O(g) + CO2(g) 
      • Formula mass of NaHCO3 is 23+1+12+(3x16) = 84 = 84g/mole
      • Formula mass of CO2 = 12+(2x16) = 44 = 44g/mole (not needed by this method)
        • or a molar gas volume of 24000 cm3 at RTP (definitely needed for this method)
      • In the equation 2 moles of NaHCO3 give 1 mole of CO2 (2:1 mole ratio in equation)
      • Moles NaHCO3 = 4.2/84 = 0.05 moles ==> 0.05/2 = 0.025 mol CO2 on decomposition.
      • Mass = moles x formula mass, so mass CO2 = 0.025 x 44 = 1.1g CO2 
      • Volume = moles x molar volume = 0.025 x 24000 = 600 cm3 of CO2 
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.7
    • What volume of carbon dioxide is formed at RTP when 5g of carbon is burned?
      • C(s) + O2(g) ==> CO2(g)
      • 1 mole carbon gives 1 mole of carbon dioxide, atomic mass of carbon = 12
      • moles = mass / atomic mass, moles carbon = moles carbon dioxide = 5/12 = 0.417 mol
      • 1 mole of gas at RTP occupies 24 dm3
      • so 0.417 mol occupies a volume of 0.417 x 24 = 10.0 dm3
      • -
  • Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.8
    • What volume of carbon dioxide gas is formed at RTP if 1Kg of propane gas fuel is burned?
      • C3H8(g) + 5O2(g)  ==> 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)
      • 1 mole of propane gas gives 3 moles of carbon dioxide gas on complete combustion
      • 1 kg = 1000g, atomic masses: C = 12, H =1
      • Mr(propane) = (3 x 12) + (8 x 1) = 44
      • moles = mass in g / molecular mass, therefore moles propane = 1000/44 = 22.73 mol
      • from equation molar ratio: moles carbon dioxide = 3 x moles of propane
      • mol propane = 3 x 22.73 = 68.18 mol
      • 1 mole of gas at RTP occupies a volume of 24 dm3
      • so 68.18 mol of gas occupies a volume of 68.18 x 24 = 1636 dm3