At 273\text{ K} and 1.0\text{ atm}, four separate 1.0\text{ mol} samples of sulfur dioxide… — JAMB UTME

At $273\text{ K}$ and $1.0\text{ atm}$ , four separate $1.0\text{ mol}$ samples of sulfur dioxide ( $\text{SO}_2$ ), methane ( $\text{CH}_4$ ), nitrogen ( $\text{N}_2$ ), and helium ( $\text{He}$ ) are maintained under identical conditions. Which of these gases will exhibit the greatest deviation from ideal gas behavior?

Sulfur dioxide ( $\text{SO}_2$ )Answer
B
Methane ( $\text{CH}_4$ )
C
Nitrogen ( $\text{N}_2$ )
D
Helium ( $\text{He}$ )

Answer

Sulfur dioxide (

\text{SO}_2

) exhibits the greatest deviation from ideal gas behavior due to its strong polar intermolecular forces and relatively large molecular size.

Sulfur dioxide (

\text{SO}_2

) has a bent molecular shape and a permanent dipole moment, creating strong intermolecular dipole-dipole attractions. Additionally, its larger molecular mass and size give it a substantial molecular volume. These properties cause

\text{SO}_2

to deviate most significantly from ideal gas behavior compared to non-polar gases.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the postulates of kinetic molecular theory for ideal gases.

Ideal gases assume zero intermolecular attractive forces and zero molecular volume.

Deviations occur when attractive forces become significant or molecular volume cannot be neglected.

Evaluate polarity and molecular structure for each given gas species.

\text{SO}_2

is polar (bent structure with dipole moment), while

\text{CH}_4

\text{N}_2

, and

\text{He}

are non-polar.

Polar molecules possess permanent dipole-dipole attractions, which are considerably stronger than London dispersion forces.

Compare molecular size and constant values (van der Waals

a

and

b

\text{SO}_2

has the largest molecular mass and size among the options, giving it the largest van der Waals attraction parameter (

a

Stronger attractive forces cause real gas pressure to be significantly less than predicted by

PV = nRT

Key Concept

Intermolecular Forces and Molecular Size in Real Gas Deviations

Question

Answer

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Key Concept

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