PhET Gas Properties

Visit this website to complete the virtual lab:

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/gas-properties/latest/gas-properties_en.html
If prompted click on IDEAL on the Gas Properties screen.

Part 1: P vs. V

1. Hit the green plus sign that says particles next to it.
2. In the drop down start by adding 100 “blue/heavy particles” to your box.
3. Click on the width button on the right so you can see what the volume of your box
is in nm.
4. You can manipulate the volume by extending the handle on the left side of the
box.
5. Record your data in the box below for the average pressure at different volumes.

Volume (nm) Pressure (atm)

10nm

15nm

5nm

6. Using your data, create a graph and determine the relationship between pressure
and volume. Pressure should be on the y-axis and volume should be on the
x-axis.

7. What is the relationship between pressure and volume? Are they directly
proportional or inversely proportional? How do you know?
Part 2: P vs. n (number of particles)

1. Reset the simulation by clicking the orange circle arrow in the bottom left corner.
2. In the right hand column hold the volume constant.
3. Start by adding 100 “blue/heavy particles” to your box.
4. In the data table below record the pressure when different amounts of particles
are added.

n (number of particles) Pressure (atm)

100

150

200

5. Create a graph using your data. You should label pressure on the Y-axis and n
on the x-axis. Determine the relationship of pressure and the number of particles.

6. What is the relationship between pressure and number of particles? Is it inversely

or directly proportional? How do you know?

Part 3: P vs. T
1. Reset the simulation by clicking the orange circle arrow in the bottom left corner.
 2. Again hold the volume constant by clicking the button in the column in the right
handbox.
3. Next, add 100 “blue/heavy particles to the box.
4. At the bottom there is a bucket that says heat and cool with a little gauge on it.
Here you can manipulate the temperature of the box. Start by adding some heat
until it reaches about 500K. You can see the temperature by reading the
thermometer in the top right corner of the box.
5. In the data table below record the pressure at varying temperatures by heating
and cooling the box.

Temperature (K) Pressure (atm)

500K

300K

700K

6. Create a graph with your data to determine the relationship between temperature
and pressure. Your pressure should go on the y-axis and your temperature
should go on the x-axis.

7. What is the relationship between temperature and pressure? Are they inversely
or directly proportional? How do you know?
Using what you just learned about the relationships of pressure, volume, temperature,
and number of particles, you should now be able to interpret and apply the ideal gas law
formula.

You might be asking what R is? R is the gas constant for the ideal gas law although it
does show up in a lot of other formulas as well. Given this formula try solving for
different variables given the different scenarios. Show all work. All calculations must be
done with the variables in the respective units.
P= atm
V=L
n=mol
R=0.08206
T=K

1. Determine the volume occupied by 2.34 grams of carbon dioxide gas at STP.

2. At what temperature will 0.654 moles of neon gas occupy 12.30 liters at 1.95
atmospheres?