AP Chemistry Flashcards: Ideal Gas Law
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How is the total pressure of an ideal gas mixture related to its components?
The total pressure of an ideal gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of each individual component gas (P_total = PA + PB + ...).
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How is the total pressure of an ideal gas mixture related to its components?
The total pressure of an ideal gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of each individual component gas (P_total = PA + PB + ...).
How is the partial pressure of a single component in an ideal gas mixture determined?
A component's partial pressure is its mole fraction multiplied by the total pressure of the mixture (PA = P_total * XA).
A gas mixture contains Gas A and Gas B. If the partial pressure of A is 0.6 atm and the partial pressure of B is 0.9 atm, what is the total pressure?
The total pressure is 1.5 atm, which is the sum of the partial pressures of Gas A and Gas B (0.6 atm + 0.9 atm).
What fundamental relationship does the Ideal Gas Law describe?
It describes the relationship between the macroscopic properties of pressure (P), volume (V), number of moles (n), and temperature (T) for a sample of gas or a mixture of gases.
What key assumption is made about the pressure of each component in an ideal gas mixture?
In an ideal gas mixture, it is assumed that the partial pressure exerted by each component gas is independent of the other gases present.
According to the Ideal Gas Law, what happens to the pressure of a gas in a rigid container if you double the number of moles (n) while keeping temperature constant?
The pressure will double. Since P is directly proportional to n in the equation PV=nRT, doubling n while V and T are constant will also double P.
Describe the graphical relationship between pressure (P) and volume (V) for an ideal gas at constant temperature and moles.
Pressure and volume are inversely proportional. A graph of P vs. V shows a curve, demonstrating that as one increases, the other decreases.
What is a mole fraction (XA)?
The mole fraction of a component gas (A) is the ratio of its moles to the total moles in the mixture, and it is used to calculate partial pressure.
State the Ideal Gas Law equation.
The Ideal Gas Law is expressed as PV=nRT, relating the macroscopic properties of an ideal gas.
Why are graphical representations of the relationships between P, V, T, and n useful for describing gas behavior?
Graphical representations are useful because they visually illustrate the direct and inverse proportionalities between the macroscopic properties of a gas, helping to describe and predict its behavior.