Chapter 5: Problem 160
One way to gain a physical understanding of \(b\) in the van der Waals equation is to calculate the "excluded volume." Assume that the distance of closest approach between two similar atoms is the sum of their radii \((2 r) .\) (a) Calculate the volume around each atom into which the center of another atom cannot penetrate. (b) From your result in (a), calculate the excluded volume for 1 mole of the atoms, which is the constant \(b\). How does this volume compare with the sum of the volumes of 1 mole of the atoms?
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.