IB Chemistry 1.5 Ideal Gases Exam Practice
Practice

1.5 Exam Practice

Exam-style practice questions on Ideal Gases

Download as PDF

Section B: Data Analysis (Paper 1B Style)

Calculator and Data Booklet permitted. Show all working clearly.

Question 1: Determining Molar Mass from Gas Data Determine

5 marks

A student heats a volatile liquid in a conical flask fitted with a pinhole cover. The following data was recorded:

MeasurementValue
Mass of vapour0.285 g
Temperature of water bath99 °C
Volume of flask149 cm³
Atmospheric pressure101.3 kPa

(a) Convert the temperature to Kelvin and the volume to dm\(^3\). [1]

(b) Using the ideal gas equation PV = nRT, calculate the number of moles of vapour. [2]

(c) Hence determine the molar mass of the liquid and suggest its identity. [2]

Show Mark Scheme

(a) T = 99 + 273 = 372 K; V = 149 / 1000 = 0.149 dm\(^3\) [1]

(b) \(n = \frac{PV}{RT} = \frac{101.3 \times 0.149}{8.314 \times 372}\) [1]

\(n = \frac{15.094}{3092.8} = 4.879 \times 10^{-3}\) mol [1]

(c) \(M = \frac{m}{n} = \frac{0.285}{4.879 \times 10^{-3}} = 58.4\) g mol\(^{-1}\) [1]

This is close to the molar mass of propanone / acetone (C\(_3\)H\(_6\)O, M = 58.08) [1]

Examiner tip: In PV = nRT, make sure your units are consistent. When P is in kPa and V is in dm\(^3\), use R = 8.314 J K\(^{-1}\) mol\(^{-1}\) (since 1 kPa × 1 dm\(^3\) = 1 J). This is the IB convention for gas calculations.

Section C: Structured Questions (Paper 2 Style)

Show all working. State answers with appropriate significant figures and units.

Question 2: Ideal Gas Equation Calculate

4 marks

A 5.00 dm\(^3\) container holds nitrogen gas at 25 °C and 200 kPa.

(a) Calculate the number of moles of nitrogen in the container. [2]

(b) Calculate the mass of nitrogen in the container. (M of N\(_2\) = 28.02 g mol\(^{-1}\)) [1]

(c) If the temperature is increased to 100 °C at constant volume, calculate the new pressure. [1]

Show Mark Scheme

(a) T = 25 + 273 = 298 K

\(n = \frac{PV}{RT} = \frac{200 \times 5.00}{8.314 \times 298} = \frac{1000}{2477.6} = 0.4036\) mol [2]

Award [1] for correct substitution with arithmetic error.

(b) Mass = 0.4036 × 28.02 = 11.3 g [1]

(c) \(\frac{P_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2}{T_2}\), so \(P_2 = \frac{200 \times 373}{298} =\) 250 kPa [1]

Examiner tip: The most common error is forgetting to convert °C to K. Temperatures must be in Kelvin for all gas law calculations. Always check this before substituting into any equation.
Links to: 1.4 Counting Particles (moles and molar mass)

Question 3: Gas Stoichiometry Determine

4 marks

Methane burns completely in oxygen: CH\(_4\)(g) + 2O\(_2\)(g) → CO\(_2\)(g) + 2H\(_2\)O(g)

(a) Calculate the volume of oxygen (at STP, in dm\(^3\)) needed to completely burn 100 cm\(^3\) of methane. [1]

(b) Calculate the total volume of gaseous products formed (at STP) from 1.00 mol of methane. [2]

(c) State what would happen to the volume of CO\(_2\) produced if the reaction was carried out at 110 °C and 100 kPa instead of STP. [1]

Show Mark Scheme

(a) By Avogadro's law (equal volumes at same T and P), volume ratio = mole ratio. Volume of O\(_2\) = 2 × 100 = 200 cm\(^3\) [1]

(b) Moles of CO\(_2\) = 1.00 mol, moles of H\(_2\)O(g) = 2.00 mol [1]

Total volume = (1.00 + 2.00) × 22.7 = 68.1 dm\(^3\) [1]

(c) The volume would be larger because the temperature is higher (above 0 °C) / gases expand at higher temperatures [1]

Examiner tip: At STP (0 °C, 100 kPa), the IB uses molar volume = 22.7 dm\(^3\). This is different from the older SATP value. Make sure to use the correct value from the Data Booklet.

Question 4: Real vs Ideal Gases Discuss

4 marks

(a) State two assumptions of the ideal gas model. [2]

(b) Explain why ammonia (NH\(_3\)) deviates more from ideal behaviour than helium (He) under the same conditions of temperature and pressure. [2]

Show Mark Scheme

(a) Any two of:

  • Gas particles have negligible volume compared to the volume of the container [1]
  • There are no intermolecular forces between gas particles [1]
  • Collisions are perfectly elastic [1]

(b) NH\(_3\) molecules are polar and can form hydrogen bonds, so there are significant intermolecular forces between particles [1]

NH\(_3\) molecules are larger than He atoms, so the volume of the particles is more significant compared to the total volume / the assumption of negligible volume is less valid [1]

Examiner tip: When comparing deviations from ideal gas behaviour, always relate your answer back to which specific ideal gas assumption is being violated. Strong intermolecular forces and large molecular size are the two key factors.
Links to: 1.1 Particulate Nature of Matter (kinetic molecular theory assumptions)
← Flashcards Back to 1.5 →