Physics HL
Physics HL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

Understanding Real vs. Ideal Gases: Key Insights

Word Count Emoji
692 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

A breath of fresh air - understanding gases 🌬

  • Ideal Gases vs. Real Gases
    • Ideal Gas: A theoretical gas that follows the kinetic model perfectly. Best suited for monatomic gases (single atom gases).
    • Real Gas: Gases in the real world! Their behavior can deviate from the ideal gas, especially at low temperatures and high pressures.
  • Not-so-ideal Behaviors
    • Real gases can be liquefied (turned from gas to liquid). Ideal gases shouldn't be able to do this! 😲
  • Real-World Example: Think of carbon dioxide (CO2). If you cool it down below 31°C, it becomes a dry ice (solid)! But ideally, this shouldn’t happen.
  • PV/RT vs. P Graph:
    • For an ideal gas, PV/RT would be a straight line. But for real gases, especially at low temperatures and high pressures, it's a wacky curve. The cooler it gets, the more they deviate!
  • Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution:
    • This is about how different gas molecules move.
  • Real-World Example: Helium (He) molecules are speedy Gonzales, even more so than hydrogen (H2)! That’s why we don’t have much helium or hydrogen in our atmosphere – they zip away too quickly! 🎈
  • Escape speed of Earth: 11 kms−1. Some hydrogen molecules match this speed, and off they go into space!
  • Van der Waals Equation:
    • A fancy-schmancy equation that helps us understand real gases better.
  • The equation: (P +\(\frac {n^2a}{V^2}\)​)(V –nb) = nRT
  • Real-World Example: Think of a crowded elevator (small V). People (molecules) are super close and are uncomfortable (forces between them). The discomfort (pressure) goes up!
  • Speed of Sound in Gases:
    • Speed of sound in a gas depends on the typical speeds of its molecules.
  • Real-World Example: As you heat up the air, sound travels faster! Imagine a rock band playing on a hot day, their music might just reach your ears a tad faster!
  • Simplified Models:
    • We often use simpler models to explain complicated stuff.
    • Electrons moving in metal 🎸
    • Waves bending and messing with each other 🌊
    • Air dancing in a pipe (yup, that’s sound waves) 🎵
    • Gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields – think of magnets, apples falling, and static shocks! 🍎🧲
    • Atoms glowing (energy levels in atoms) 💡

Homework tasks

  • Plot the graph of the speed of sound vs. temperature.
  • Determine the gradient and its uncertainty.
  • Plot a graph of v2 against T in kelvin.
  • Add error bars.
  • Find the value of constant b and its uncertainty.
  • At what temperature can we see a difference in the trends?

Remember, physics isn't just about formulas – it’s about understanding the universe, one equation at a time! 🌌🔭

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Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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IB Resources
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

Understanding Real vs. Ideal Gases: Key Insights

Word Count Emoji
692 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

A breath of fresh air - understanding gases 🌬

  • Ideal Gases vs. Real Gases
    • Ideal Gas: A theoretical gas that follows the kinetic model perfectly. Best suited for monatomic gases (single atom gases).
    • Real Gas: Gases in the real world! Their behavior can deviate from the ideal gas, especially at low temperatures and high pressures.
  • Not-so-ideal Behaviors
    • Real gases can be liquefied (turned from gas to liquid). Ideal gases shouldn't be able to do this! 😲
  • Real-World Example: Think of carbon dioxide (CO2). If you cool it down below 31°C, it becomes a dry ice (solid)! But ideally, this shouldn’t happen.
  • PV/RT vs. P Graph:
    • For an ideal gas, PV/RT would be a straight line. But for real gases, especially at low temperatures and high pressures, it's a wacky curve. The cooler it gets, the more they deviate!
  • Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution:
    • This is about how different gas molecules move.
  • Real-World Example: Helium (He) molecules are speedy Gonzales, even more so than hydrogen (H2)! That’s why we don’t have much helium or hydrogen in our atmosphere – they zip away too quickly! 🎈
  • Escape speed of Earth: 11 kms−1. Some hydrogen molecules match this speed, and off they go into space!
  • Van der Waals Equation:
    • A fancy-schmancy equation that helps us understand real gases better.
  • The equation: (P +\(\frac {n^2a}{V^2}\)​)(V –nb) = nRT
  • Real-World Example: Think of a crowded elevator (small V). People (molecules) are super close and are uncomfortable (forces between them). The discomfort (pressure) goes up!
  • Speed of Sound in Gases:
    • Speed of sound in a gas depends on the typical speeds of its molecules.
  • Real-World Example: As you heat up the air, sound travels faster! Imagine a rock band playing on a hot day, their music might just reach your ears a tad faster!
  • Simplified Models:
    • We often use simpler models to explain complicated stuff.
    • Electrons moving in metal 🎸
    • Waves bending and messing with each other 🌊
    • Air dancing in a pipe (yup, that’s sound waves) 🎵
    • Gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields – think of magnets, apples falling, and static shocks! 🍎🧲
    • Atoms glowing (energy levels in atoms) 💡

Homework tasks

  • Plot the graph of the speed of sound vs. temperature.
  • Determine the gradient and its uncertainty.
  • Plot a graph of v2 against T in kelvin.
  • Add error bars.
  • Find the value of constant b and its uncertainty.
  • At what temperature can we see a difference in the trends?

Remember, physics isn't just about formulas – it’s about understanding the universe, one equation at a time! 🌌🔭

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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