LearnChemE

Interactive Self-Study Module: Ideal Gas Law

Overview:

This module uses screencasts and and interactive simulation to explain the relation between temperature, pressure, and volume for ideal gases, including mixtures. It then provides example problems and ConcepTests to allow the user to test themselves. Your retention of material in this module will increase if you write down reasons for your answers to ConcepTests, questions in screencasts, and you try to solve the example problems before watching the screencast solutions. We suggest using the learning resources in the following order:

  1. Attempt to answer the multiple-choice ConcepTest and solve the example problem before watching the screencasts or working with the simulations.
  2. Watch the screencasts that describe ideal gas properties and answer the question within the first screencast.
  3. Review important equations for the ideal gas law.
  4. Use the interactive simulation to better understand the relation between temperature, volume, and pressure in an ideal gas.
  5. Try to solve the example problems before watching the solutions in the screencasts.
  6. Answer the ConcepTests.
  7. Look at the list ofkey points, but only after you try to list the key points yourself. 
Motivation:
  • Ideal gases are good first approximations for real gases.
  • This module is intended for a material and energy balance course.
Before studying this module, you should:
  • Be familiar with general chemistry.
After studying this module, you should be able to:
  • Solve problems using the ideal gas law.
  • Know when a gas can be assumed to be ideal.