Study Notes 4

In Chemistry, gases and liquids are considered fluids. The molecules of fluids move freely past each other in random directions. The pressure of a fluid is felt equally in all directions because of this random motion of molecules. Pressure is defined as force per unit area. The force in fluids (liquids, gases) comes from collisions of atoms or molecules with the walls of a container the molecules collide with the walls of the container. For example, when a pot of water H2O is heated, the water molecules move faster and faster, and collide with the walls of the pot more often & with greater force. Air pressure is caused by the weight of the gas in the atmosphere striking surfaces. Gravity pulls air molecules (N2, O2, etc) towards the Earth, so there is greater air pressure at lower altitudes and lower air pressure at higher altitudes (this is why airplane cabins are pressurized). Pressure in water INCREASES with depth this explains why your ears hurt when you swim to the bottom of a swimming pool. You feel the pressure of all the water above you! Similarly, the air pressure is greater at sea level (where you are now) than it is at higher altitude. Since water is much denser than air, we feel the weight of the water molecules much more than the weight of air molecules. (Question: What would happen if you opened the window of an airplane at 30,000 feet elevation?) Force Pressure = --------Area

Units of Pressure
1 atmosphere (atm) = 760 Torr (T) = 14.7 lb./in.2 (psi) (760mm Hg)

Gases diffuse into each other to form homogenous mixtures that are evenly mixed. Air in our atmosphere (that we breathe) is an example of such a mixture of gases (nitrogen, oxygen, argon, etc) Heavier gases (denser) diffuse much slower than lighter gases. GAS LAWS P1V1 = P2V2 V1 ----T1 (P = pressure, V = volume, T = temperature in Kelvin) at constant Temperature, moles of gas is constant (Boyles Law) (Charles Law)

V2 = ----- at constant Pressure, moles of gas is constant T2 remember to use KELVIN scale!

Combining these two formulas, we have: P1V1 -----T1 P2V2 = ------T2 moles of gas is constant, note similarity to PV = nRT, Ideal Gas Eqn

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)

Standard Temperature = 0C = 273K and Standard Pressure = 1ATM = 760T When comparing volumes of gases, temperature and pressure must be specified. *One liter of ideal gas has a volume = 22.4 Liters at STP

Temperature Scale Conversions (Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin)

Temperature may be expressed as C, F, or K. Most of the world uses C, though we use F in the USA. We can convert between these scales using the following info: 0C = 32F = 273K 1C = 1K 1C = 1.8F

remember this info and you dont need to memorize the equations below

These equations follow from the above info: F = 1.8 (C) + 32 K = 273 + (C) use to convert between F and C use to convert between C and K

Note the freezing point and boiling point of water in C, F, and K

Fahrenheit Celsius F C BPwater FPwater 212 32 100 0 -273

Kelvin K 373 273 0

Absolute -459.4 Zero

Why do we have the Kelvin scale? Absolute zero is the coldest theoretical temperature possible, all atoms and molecules would be absolutely motionless at 0K, though this temperature cant actually be reached.