Avogadro's Law states that equal volumes of gases under the same conditions of t

emperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules.

This means equal amounts of moles of gases occupy the same volume under the same
conditions of temperature and pressure.
So the volumes have equal moles of separate particles (molecules or individual a
toms) in them.
Therefore one mole of any gas (formula mass in g), at the same temperature and p
ressure occupies the same volume .
This is 24dm3 (24 litres) or 24000 cm3, at room temperature of 25oC/298K and nor
mal pressure of 101.3 kPa/1 atmosphere (such conditions are often referred to as
RTP).
The molar volume for s.t.p is 22.4 dm3 (22.4 litres) at 0oC and 1atmosphere pres
sure.
Historically, s.t.p unfortunately stands for standard temperature and pressure,
but these days 25oC/298K is usually considered the standard temperature (RTP).
Some handy relationships for substance Z below:
moles Z = mass of Z gas (g) / atomic or formula mass of gas Z (g/mol)
mass of Z in g = moles of Z x atomic or formula mass of Z
atomic or formula mass of Z = mass of Z / moles of Z
1 mole = formula mass of Z in g.
gas volume of Z = moles of Z x volume of 1 mole
rearranging this equation gives ...
moles of Z = gas volume of Z / volume of 1 mole
moles = V(dm3) / 24

(at RTP)

The latter form of the equation can be used to calculate molecular mass from exp
erimental data because
moles = mass / molecular mass = gas volume / volume of 1 mole
mass / molecular mass = gas volume / volume of 1 mole
molecular mass = mass x volume of 1 mole/volume
therefore at RTP: Mr = mass(g) x 24 / V(dm3)
so, if you know the mass of a gas and its volume, you can work out moles of gas
and then work out molecular mass.
This has been done experimentally in the past, but these days, molecular mass is
readily done very accurately in a mass spectrometer.
Note (i): In the following examples, assume you are dealing with room temperatur
e and pressure i.e. 25oC and 1 atmosphere pressure so the molar volume is 24dm3
or 24000cm3.

Note (ii):
Apart from solving the problems using the mole concept (method (a) below, and re
ading any equations involved in a 'molar way' ...
It is also possible to solve them without using the mole concept (method (b) bel
ow). You still use the molar volume itself, but you think of it as the volume oc
cupied by the formula mass of the gas in g and never think about moles!
Methods of measuring how much gas is formed (volume can be compared with theore
tical prediction!)
(a)

You can collect the gases in a calibrated gas syringe.

You must make sure too much gas isn't produced and too fast!
A gas syringe is more accurate than collecting the gas in an inverted measuring
cylinder under water shown below, but its still only accurate to the nearest cm3
.
You can collect any gas by this method.
(b) The gas is collected in a measuring cylinder filled with water and inverte
d over a trough of water.
You can get a more accurate result by using an inverted burette instead of a mea
suring cylinder.
However, this method is no good if the gas is soluble in water!
Burettes are calibrated in 0.10 cm3 intervals. measuring cylinders to the neares
t cm3 or worse!
In both methods the reaction is carried out in conical flask fitted with a seali
ng rubber bung, but a tube enabling the gas evolved to be collected in some suit
able container.
(c) A third method is to measure the gas loss by carrying out the reaction in
a flask set up on an accurate one-pan electronic balance.
You need to put a cotton wool plug in the neck of the conical flask in case you
lose any of the solution in a spray as the gas bubbles up - effervescence can pr
oduce an aerosol.
This method can be used for any reaction that produces a gas, but the gas is rel
eased into the laboratory, ok if its harmless.
It is potentially the most accurate method, BUT, the mass loss may be quite smal
l especially hydrogen [Mr(H2) = 2], better for the 'heavier' gas carbon dioxide
[MrCO2) = 44]
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.1
What is the volume of 3.5g of hydrogen? [Ar(H) = 1]
common thinking: hydrogen exists as H2 molecules, so Mr(H2) = 2, so 1 mole or fo
rmula mass in g = 2g
method (a)

so moles of hydrogen = 3.5/2 = 1.75 mol H2

so volume H2 = mol H2 x molar volume = 1.75 x 24 = 42 dm3 (or 42000 cm3)
method (b):
2g occupies 24 dm3, so scaling up for the volume of hydrogen ...
3.5 g will have a volume of 3.5/2 x 24 = 42 dm3 (or 42000 cm3)
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.2
Given the equation
MgCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) ==> MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) +CO2(g)
This equation is read as 1 mole of magnesium carbonate reacts with 1 mole of sul
furic acid to form 1 mole of magnesium sulfate, 1 mole of water and 1 mole of ca
rbon dioxide gas
What mass of magnesium carbonate is needed to make 6 dm3 of carbon dioxide? [Ar'
s: Mg = 24, C = 12, O = 16, H =1 and S = 32]
The important mole ratio is 1 MgCO3 ==> 1 CO2
method (a):
since 1 mole = 24 dm3, 6 dm3 is equal to 6/24 = 0.25 mol of gas
From the equation, 1 mole of MgCO3 produces 1 mole of CO2, which occupies a volu
me of 24 dm3.
so 0.25 moles of MgCO3 is need to make 0.25 mol of CO2
formula mass of MgCO3 = 24 + 12 + 3x16 = 84,
so required mass of MgCO3 = mol x formula mass = 0.25 x 84 = 21g
method (b):
converting the equation into the required reacting masses ..
formula masses: MgCO3 = 84 (from above), CO2 = 12 + 2x16 = 44
MgCO3 : CO2 equation ratio is 1 : 1
so 84g of MgCO3 will form 44g of CO2
44g of CO2 will occupy 24dm3
so scaling down, 6 dm3 of CO2 will have a mass of 44 x 8/24 = 11g
if 84g MgCO3 ==> 44g of CO2, then ...

21g MgCO3 ==> 11g of CO2 by solving the ratio, scaling down by factor of 4
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.3
6g of a hydrocarbon gas had a volume of 4.8 dm3. Calculate its molecular mass.
method (a):
1 mole = 24 dm3, so moles of gas = 4.8/24 = 0.2 mol
molecular mass = mass in g / moles of gas
Mr = 6 / 0.2 = 30
i.e. if 6g = 0.2 mol, 1 mol must be equal to 30g by scaling up
method (b):
6g occupies a volume of 4.8 dm3
the formula mass in g occupies 24 dm3
so scaling up the 6g in 4.8 dm3
there will be 6 x 24/4.8 = 30g in 24 dm3
so the molecular or formula mass = 30
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.4
Given the equation ... (and Ar's Ca = 40, H = 1, Cl = 35.5)
Ca(s) + 2HCl(aq) ==> CaCl2(aq) + H2(g)
The equation is read as 1 mole of calcium atoms reacts with 2 moles of hydrochlo
ric acid to form 1 mole of calcium chloride salt and 1 mole of hydrogen gas.
What volume of hydrogen is formed when ...
(i) 3g of calcium is dissolved in excess hydrochloric acid?
The important mole ratio is 1 Ca ==> 1 H2
(ii) 0.25 moles of hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium?
The important mole ratio is 1 Ca + 2HCl
(i) method (a):
3g Ca = 3/40 = 0.075 mol Ca
from 1 : 1 ratio in equation, 1 mol Ca produces 1 mol H2

so 0.075 mol Ca produces 0.075 mol H2

so volume H2 = 0.075 x 24 = 1.8 dm3 (or 1800 cm3)
(i) method (b):
from equation 1 Ca ==> 1 H2 means 40g ==> 2g
so scaling down: 3g Ca will produce 2 x 3/40 = 0.15g H2
2g H2 has a volume 24 dm3, so scaling down ...
0.15g H2 has a volume of (0.15/2) x 24 = 1.8 dm3 (or 1800 cm3)
(ii) method (a) only:
from equation: 2 moles HCl ==> 1 mole H2 (mole ratio 2:1)
so 0.25 mol HCl ==> 0.125 mol H2, volume 1 mole gas = 24 dm3
so volume H2 = 0.125 x 24 = 3 dm3
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.5
Given the equation ... (and Ar's Mg = 24, H = 1, Cl = 35.5)
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) ==> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
The equation is read as 1 mole of magnesium reacts with 2 moles of hydrochloric
acid to form 1 mole of magnesium chloride salt and 1 mole of hydrogen gas.
How much magnesium is needed to make 300 cm3 of hydrogen gas?
method (a)
The important mole ratio is 1 Mg ==> 1 H2
300 cm3 = 300/24000 = 0.0125 mol H2 (since 1 mol of any gas = 24000 cm3)
from the equation 1 mole Mg ==> 1 mole H2
so 0.0125 mole Mg needed to make 0.0125 mol H2
so mass of Mg = mole Mg x Ar(Mg)
so mass Mg needed = 0.0125 x 24 = 0.3g
method (b)
reaction ratio in equation is 1 Mg ==> 1 H2,
so reacting mass ratio is 24g Mg ==> 2g H2,

2g H2 has a volume of 24000 cm3 (volume of formula mass in g)

so scaling down: mass Mg needed = 24 x (300/24000) = 0.3g
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.6
A small teaspoon of sodium hydrogencarbonate (baking soda) weighs 4.2g.
Calculate the moles, mass and volume of carbon dioxide formed when it is thermal
ly decomposed in the oven.
Assume room temperature for the purpose of the calculation.
2NaHCO3(s) ==> Na2CO3(s) + H2O(g) + CO2(g)
This equation is read as 2 moles of sodium hydrogencarbonate decomposes to give
1mole of sodium carbonate, 1 mole of water and 1 mole of carbon dioxide.
The important mole ratio is 2 NaHCO3 ==> 1 CO2
Formula mass of NaHCO3 is 23+1+12+(3x16) = 84 = 84g/mole
Formula mass of CO2 = 12+(2x16) = 44 = 44g/mole (not needed by this method)
or a molar gas volume of 24000 cm3 at RTP (definitely needed for this method)
In the equation 2 moles of NaHCO3 give 1 mole of CO2 (2:1 mole ratio in equation
)
Moles NaHCO3 = 4.2/84 = 0.05 moles ==> 0.05/2 = 0.025 mol CO2 on decomposition.
Mass = moles x formula mass, so mass CO2 = 0.025 x 44 = 1.1g CO2
Volume = moles x molar volume = 0.025 x 24000 = 600 cm3 of CO2
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.7
What volume of carbon dioxide is formed at RTP when 5g of carbon is burned?
C(s) + O2(g) ==> CO2(g)
1 mole carbon gives 1 mole of carbon dioxide, atomic mass of carbon = 12
The important mole ratio is 1 C ==> 1 CO2
moles = mass / atomic mass, moles carbon = moles carbon dioxide = 5/12 = 0.417 m
ol
1 mole of gas at RTP occupies 24 dm3
so 0.417 mol occupies a volume of 0.417 x 24 = 10.0 dm3
Molar gas volume calculation Example 9.8

What volume of carbon dioxide gas is formed at RTP if 1Kg of propane gas fuel is
burned?
C3H8(g) + 5O2(g) ==> 3CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)
1 mole of propane gas reacts with 5 moles of oxygen to gives 3 moles of carbon d
ioxide gas and 4 moles of water on complete combustion
The important mole ratio is 1 C3H8 ==> 3 CO2
1 kg = 1000g, atomic masses: C = 12, H =1
Mr(propane) = (3 x 12) + (8 x 1) = 44
moles = mass in g / molecular mass, therefore moles propane = 1000/44 = 22.73 mo
l
from equation molar ratio: moles carbon dioxide = 3 x moles of propane
mol propane = 3 x 22.73 = 68.18 mol
1 mole of gas at RTP occupies a volume of 24 dm3
so 68.18 mol of gas occupies a volume of 68.18 x 24 = 1636 dm3
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