The van der Waals equation accounts for the deviation of real gases from ideal gases. Identify which of the following statements is correct. The deviation from ideal behaviour:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To evaluate the statements about the van der Waals deviation from ideal gas behavior, we recall the key idea: the a parameter (attractions) lowers the pressure relative to ideal at low densities, while the b parameter (finite molecular volume) becomes important at high densities, i.e., high pressures.
Option a: 'at both low and high pressures is due to the finite volume of atoms/molecules' This is not accurate because the finite volume correction (b) mainly affects high-pressure (high-density) behavior by reducing the available volume, whereas the low-pressure deviation is primarily due to intermolecular attractions (a term that lowers pressure). So attributing deviations at both regimes to finite volume alone misstates the mechanism, making this option incorrect.
Option b: 'at lower pressures is due to the finite volume of atoms/molecules, and at higher pressures is due to intermolecular attractions' The direction of the causes is swapped compared with the established interpretation. Finite volume matters more as molecules are squeezed closer (high pressure), while attractions govern the low-pressure deviation. Therefore this option is incorrect.
Option c: 'at low pressure is due to intermolecular attractions' This aligns with the standard understanding: at low densities, attractive forces reduce the observed pressure compared with the ideal gas prediction, so the deviation arises from intermolecular attractions. This statement is correct.
Option d: 'deviation is significant (>10%) for gases at atmospheric pressure' In practice, for many gases at 1 atm the deviations predicted by van der Waals corrections are relatively small, and a deviation exceeding 10% is not generally expected under standard conditions. Hence this claim is not generally valid and is incorrect.

The van der Waals equation accounts for the deviation of real gases from ideal gases. Identify which of the following statements is correct. The deviation from ideal behaviour:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Of the following gases, which displays the largest degree of deviation from ideality where the pressure of the real gas is lower than that calculated via the ideal gas equation.

At low temperatures and pressures, how does the volume of a real gas compare with the volume of an ideal gas under the same conditions?

What are the main reasons that gases deviate from ideal behavior? [Select all that apply.]

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler