Chapter 1, Problem 1.12P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The van der Waals constant $\text{a}$ and $\text{b}$ values have to be calculated at two different temperatures and pressures.

Concept introduction:

van der Waals equation:

van der Waals equation represents the real gas equation.  Real gas molecules have their own volume and there is force of attraction and repulsion constantly working between the real gas molecules unlike the ideal gas molecules.  Hence ideal gas equation is subjected to modify with pressure and volume correction and thus van der Waals equation has been formed for real gases.

  $\left(\text{P}\text{+}\frac{{\text{an}}^{\text{2}}}{{\text{V}}^{\text{2}}}\right)\left(\text{V}\text{-}\text{nb}\right)\text{=}\text{nRT}$

Where,

P is pressure of the real gas

V is volume of the real gas

‘n’ is the number of moles of real gas molecules.

R is the gas constant

T is the temperature

‘a’ is the pressure correction term

‘b’ is the volume occupied by each molecules (volume correction term).