--%>

Molecular Diameters

The excluded volume b, introduced by vander Wall's as an empirical correction term, can be related to the size gas molecules. To do so, we assume the excluded volume is the result of the pairwise coming together of molecules. This assumption is justified when b values are obtained from second viral coefficient data. Fitting values for the empirical constants are derived from van der Waal's equation. Some b values obtained in this way are given in table.


So that we need to deal with a single molecular size parameter, we treat molecules as spherical particles. The diameter of a molecule is d. the volume of a molecule is v

The volume in which a pair of molecules cannot move because of each other's presence is indicated by the lightly shaded region. The radius of this excluded volume sphere is equal to the molecule diameter d. the volume excluded to the pair of molecules is 4/3πd3. We thus obtain,

= 4[4/3π (d/2)]3

The expression in brackets is the volume of a molecule.vander Waal's b term is the excluded volume per mole of the molecules. Thus we have, with N representing Avogadro's number,

B= 4n [4/3π (d/2)3] = 4N (vol. of molecule)

Molecular size and Lennard Jones intermolecular Attraction term based on second virial coefficient data:

Gas Excluded volume B, L mol-1 Molecular diam. D, pm ELJ, J × 10-21
He 0.021 255 0.14
Ne 0.026 274 0.49
Ar 0.050 341 1.68
Kr 0.058 358 2.49
Xe 0.084 405 3.11
H2 0.031 291 0.52
N2 0.061 364 1.28
O2 0.058 358 1.59
CH4 0.069 380 1.96
C(CH3)4 0.510 739 3.22


Van der Waal's equation and the Boyle temperature:

Gas Tboyle, K Tboyle/TC
H2 110 3.5
He 23 4.5
CH4 510 2.7
NH3 860 2.1
N2 330 2.6
O2 410 2.7


Example: calculate the radius of the molecule from the value of 0.069 L mol-1 for the excluded volume b that is obtained from the second virial coefficient data.

Solution: the volume of 1 mol of methane molecules is obtained by dividing the b value of 0.069 L mol-1 = 69 × 10-6 m3 mol-1 value by 4. Then division by Avogadro's number gives the volume per molecule. We have:

Volume of methane molecule = 69 × 10-6 m3/4 × 6.022 × 1023 

= 2.86 × 10-29 m
3

The volume is equal to 4/3∏r3 and on this basis we calculate:

r = 1.90 × 10-10 m and d = 3.80 × 10-10 m = 380 pm

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Explain Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The

    The energies of both the outer and inner orbitals of atoms and molecules can be determined by photoelectron spectroscopy.Energy changes of the outermost or highest energy electron of molecules were dealt with here in a different passion. The energies of ot

  • Q : Vapour pressure of water Give me answer

    Give me answer of this question. 5cm3 of acetone is added to 100cm3 of water, the vapour pressure of water over the solution: (a) It will be equal to the vapour pressure of pure water (b) It will be less than the vapour pressure of pure water

  • Q : Molar mass of solute The boiling point

    The boiling point of benzene is 353.23 K. If 1.80 gm of a non-volatile solute was dissolved in 90 gm of benzene, the boiling point is increased to 354.11 K. Then the molar mass of the solute is: (a) 5.8g mol-1  (b)

  • Q : Problem on Clausius equation of state

    If a gas can be described by the Clausius equation of state: P (V-b) = RT Where b is a constant, then:  (a) Obtain an expression for the residual vo

  • Q : Amines arrange in order of

    arrange in order of basicity,pyridine,pipyridineand pyorine

  • Q : Dipole moment of chlorooctane

    Illustrate the dipole moment of chlorooctane?

  • Q : Help 1) Chromium(III) hydroxide is

    1) Chromium(III) hydroxide is highly insoluble in distilled water but dissolves readily in either acidic or basic solution. Briefly explain why the compound can dissolve in acidic or in basic but not in neutral solution. Write appropriate equations to support your answer. 2) Explain how dissolving t

  • Q : What are diazonium salts? The diazonium

    The diazonium salts are represented by the general formula ArN2 +X where X- ion may be anion such as (Cl) ¨, B ¨r, HSO

  • Q : Procedure to judge that organic

    Describe briefly the procedure to judge that the given organic compound is pure or not?

  • Q : Forms a molecule to an organic molecule

    Briefly state what forms a molecule to an organic molecule?