--%>

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 : Problem based on molarity Select the

    Select the right answer of the question. If 18 gm of glucose (C6H12O6) is present in 1000 gm of an aqueous solution of glucose, it is said to be: (a)1 molal (b)1.1 molal (c)0.5 molal (d)0.1 molal

  • Q : Gibberella fusarium in bioremediation

    in bioremediation gibberella fusarium is used to break down____?

  • Q : Explain physical properties of

    . Boiling pointsThe boiling points of monohalogen derivatives of benzene, which are all liquids, follow the orderIodo > Bromo > ChloroThe boiling points of isomeric dihalobe

  • Q : Lowering of vapour pressure Help me to

    Help me to go through this problem. Lowering of vapour pressure is highest for: (a) urea (b) 0.1 M glucose (c) 0.1M MgSo4 (d) 0.1M BaCl2

  • Q : BASIC CHARACTER OF AMINES IN GAS PHASE,

    IN GAS PHASE, BASICITIES OF THE AMINES IS JUST OPPOSITE TO BASICITY OF AMINES IN AQEUOUS PHASE .. EXPLAIN

  • Q : Unit of mole fraction Provide solution

    Provide solution of this question. Unit of mole fraction is: (a) Moles/litre (b) Moles/litre2 (c) Moles-litre (d) Dimensionless

  • Q : Molar concentration Choose the right

    Choose the right answer from following. Molar concentration (M) of any solution : a) No. of moles of solute/Volume of solution in litre (b) No. of gram equivalent of solute / volume of solution in litre (c) No. of moles os solute/ Mass of solvent in kg  (

  • Q : Surface Tension Vapour Pressure The

    The vapor pressure of small liquid drops depends on the drop size. Although the surface properties of a liquid are different from those of the bulk liquid, the special surface properties can be ignored except in a few situations. One is the case in which a liquid is dispersed into fine dr

  • Q : Describe the properties of the

    Briefly describe the properties of the carbohydrates?

  • Q : Molarity 20mol of hcl solution requires

    20mol of hcl solution requires 19.85ml of 0.01 M NAOH solution for complete neutralisation. the molarity of hcl solution