Analyzing the Setup
Imagine we have two distinct containers, one holding Gas A and the other holding Gas B
The problem provides us with a very specific set of constraints. First, the volume of Gas A is exactly twice the volume of Gas B, which we can write mathematically as VA=2VB.
Furthermore, we are told that both containers hold an equal number of moles of gas (nA=nB) and are maintained at the exact same temperature (TA=TB). This sets the stage for a direct comparison between the two gases.
The Master Equation
The core of this problem revolves around the compressibility factor, denoted by Z
Do you remember the formula for the compressibility factor? It is a thermodynamic property that describes the deviation of a real gas from ideal gas behavior. Mathematically, it is defined as:
The problem explicitly states a relationship between the compressibility factors of the two gases: the compressibility factor of Gas A is three times that of Gas B.
Substitution and Simplification
Now, let's substitute our formula for Z into this relationship for both gases
This gives us:
nARTApAVA=3nBRTBpBVB
Next, we carefully substitute the constraints we identified earlier. We replace VA with 2VB. Since the moles and temperatures are equal, we can simply use nB and TB on the left side of the equation as well.
nBRTBpA(2VB)=3nBRTBpBVB
Look closely at this equation. It's time for the satisfying part—canceling out the common terms! The volume VB, the number of moles nB, the universal gas constant R, and the temperature TB are present in the denominators and numerators on both sides.
Final Calculation
After slashing out all these common terms, the clutter clears, and we are left with a beautifully simple and elegant relationship:
This tells us exactly how the pressures of the two gases relate to each other under these specific conditions. It's a great reminder of how powerful systematic substitution and algebraic simplification can be in physical chemistry!