Understanding the Ideal Gas Law Equation
The Ideal Gas Law is a fundamental equation of state used in chemistry and physics to describe the behavior of an ideal gas. It combines several empirical laws, including Boyle's Law, Charles's Law, and Avogadro's Law, into a single concise formula: PV = nRT.
The Variables Explained
To use our calculator effectively, it is important to understand the units required for each variable:
- P (Pressure): The force exerted by the gas per unit area. In this calculator, we use Atmospheres (atm).
- V (Volume): The space the gas occupies. We use Liters (L).
- n (Moles): The amount of substance, measured in moles (mol).
- T (Temperature): The absolute temperature of the gas. Must be in Kelvin (K).
The Universal Gas Constant (R)
The value of R depends on the units used for the other variables. For the units used in this tool (Liters, Atmospheres, Moles, Kelvin), the value of R is 0.082057 (with units L·atm·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹).
If you are using different units (such as Pascals for pressure or cubic meters for volume), the value of R will change (e.g., 8.314 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹). Ensure your inputs match the required units for accurate results.