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Give two reasons why real gases deviate from ideal behaviour at high pressures and low temperatures. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question d - 2018
Question d
Give two reasons why real gases deviate from ideal behaviour at high pressures and low temperatures.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Give two reasons why real gases deviate from ideal behaviour at high pressures and low temperatures. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question d - 2018
Step 1
Molecules (particles) not point masses
Answer
Real gases consist of molecules that have a finite size, which means they cannot be considered merely as point masses. This finite volume becomes significant at high pressures, where the gas molecules are forced closer together, resulting in non-ideal behavior.
Step 2
Step 3
Molecules (particles) attract/repel one another
Answer
Real gases exhibit intermolecular forces (such as van der Waals forces) that lead to attractions or repulsions between molecules. At low temperatures, these forces become more pronounced, causing deviations from ideal behavior, as the gas molecules are not just colliding elastically.