Dividing by volume

$PV=nRT$

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Ghadir Seder 1G
Posts: 134
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:17 am

Dividing by volume

When solving for pressure using the ideal gas equation, why don't we divide r and t by volume as well but only divide moles by volume?

Chem_Mod
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Re: Dividing by volume

PV= nRT
the moles (n) are multiplied by the R and T. This means if you divide volume from both sides, you would be dividing the entire product of n, R and T by the volume V: P= (nRT)/V

Brian_Ho_2B
Posts: 221
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:16 am

Re: Dividing by volume

It really doesn't matter which value: n, R, or T, that you divide by the volume. Communitive rule of multiplication and division. Just make sure you divide by the volume only once, don't divide each value n, R, and T by volume and then multiply those together; that would be nRT/(v^3). You want P = nRT/V

Ryan Chang 1C
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:17 am

Re: Dividing by volume

It doesn't matter how you solve for pressure, however the most simple way is to just divide nRT by volume assuming that the problem gives you values for n, r, and t.

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