Calculate Volumes of Gases (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry)

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Calculate Volumes of Gases

Avogadro's Law

  • Avogadro’s Law states that at the same conditions of temperature and pressure, equal amounts of gases occupy the same volume of space
  • At room temperature and pressure, the volume occupied by one mole of any gas was found to be 24 dm3 or 24,000 cm3
  • This is known as the molar gas volume at RTP
  • RTP stands for “room temperature and pressure” and the conditions are 20 ºC and 1 atmosphere (atm)
  • From the molar gas volume the following formula triangle can be derived:

Molar Volume dm3 (decimetre) Formula Triangle, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Formula triangle showing the relationship between moles of gas, volume in dm3 and the molar volume

  • If the volume is given in cm3 instead of dm3, then divide by 24,000 instead of 24:

Molar Volume cm3 Formula Triangle, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Formula triangle showing the relationship between moles of gas, volume in cmand the molar volume

  • The formula can be used to calculate the number of moles of gases from a given volume or vice versa
  • Simply cover the one you want and the triangle tells you what to do

To find the volume

Volume = Moles x Molar Volume

Examples of Converting Moles into Volumes Table

Name of Gas Amount of Gas Volume of Gas
Hydrogen 3 mol (3 x 24) = 72 dm3
Carbon Dioxide 0.25 mol (0.25 x 24) = 6 dm3
Oxygen 5.4 mol (5.4 x 24,000) = 129,600 cm3
Ammonia 0.02 mol (0.02 x 24) = 0.48 dm3

To find the moles

Moles = Volume ÷ Molar Volume

Examples of Converting Volumes into Moles Table

Name of Gas Volume of Gas Amount of Gas
Methane 225.6 dm3 (225.6 ÷ 24) = 9.4 mol
Carbon Monoxide 7.2 dm3 (7.2 ÷ 24) = 0.3 mol
Sulfur Dioxide 960 dm3 (960 ÷ 24) = 40 mol
Oxygen 1200 cm3 (1200 ÷ 24,000) = 0.05 mol

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.