Without looking at a table of values, which of the following gases would you expect to have the largest value of the van der Waals constant \(b: \mathrm{H}_{2}, \mathrm{~N}_{2}, \mathrm{CH}_{4}, \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), or \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}\) ?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The gas with the largest value of the van der Waals constant \(b\) would be C3H8 (Propane), as it has the largest molecular weight (\(44.096 \, amu\)) among the given gases. This is because molecular weight plays a significant role in determining the van der Waals constant \(b\).

Step by step solution

01

Analyzing the molecular weight

To determine which gas would have the largest value of the van der Waals constant b, we'll need to consider the molecular weight of each gas. Remember that the molecular weight is determined by the sum of the atomic weights of the atoms in the molecule.
02

Evaluating each gas's molecular weight

Let's evaluate the molecular weight of each gas: 1. H2 (Hydrogen gas): Its molecular weight is 2(1.008) = \(2.016 \, amu\) 2. N2 (Nitrogen gas): Its molecular weight is 2(14.007) = \(28.014 \, amu\) 3. CH4 (Methane): Its molecular weight is 12.011 + 4(1.008) = \(16.043 \, amu\) 4. C2H6 (Ethane): Its molecular weight is 2(12.011) + 6(1.008) = \(30.069 \, amu\) 5. C3H8 (Propane): Its molecular weight is 3(12.011) + 8(1.008) = \(44.096 \, amu\)
03

Identifying the gas with the largest molecular weight

Comparing the molecular weight of each gas, we can see that C3H8 (Propane) has the largest molecular weight of \(44.096 \, amu\).
04

Determining the gas with the largest value of the van der Waals constant b

Since molecular weight plays a significant role in determining the van der Waals constant b, we can conclude that C3H8 (Propane) would have the largest value of the van der Waals constant b among the given gases due to its largest molecular weight.

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