The gas constant (R), also known as the universal gas constant or ideal gas constant, is a fundamental physical constant widely used in thermodynamics, physical chemistry, and the kinetic theory of gases. It appears in the ideal gas equation $P V=n R T$, which describes the relationship between pressure, volume, temperature, and number of moles of a gas. The value of R connects energy, temperature, and amount of substance, making it essential for solving numerical problems related to gas laws such as Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Avogadro's law. The standard value of the gas constant is $8.314 \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}$, though it can be expressed in different units depending on the system used. In this article, we will explore the meaning, formula, value, units, and derivation of the gas constant in detail.
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The gas constant is defined in physics as the product of pressure and volume. R is an abbreviation for energy per temperature increase per mole. Value of R in atm is a constant. However, the value of the gas constant can be stated in a variety of units. $R$ is also known as the ideal gas constant, the universal gas constant, and the molar constant.
As the pressure and volume of the system are changed, the value of R will change. Depending on the measuring system is being used, choose the appropriate R value.
The ideal condition is used to determine the R-value under various scenarios.
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The gas constant $R$ in the ideal gas law is expressed as,
$
\begin{aligned}
P V & =n R T \\
\mathrm{R} & =\frac{\mathrm{PV}}{\mathrm{nT}}
\end{aligned}
$
where,
Universal gas constant R, which is a physical constant measured in units of energy per temperature increment per mole. The ideal gas constant, molar gas constant, and universal gas constant are all interchangeable names. The gas constant is identical to the Boltzmann constant; however, it is expressed as the pressure-volume product rather than energy per temperature increment per particle.
The value of R is $\mathrm{R}=8.314 \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{K} / \mathrm{mole}$
The combination of Boyle's law, Charle's law and Avogadro's law gives the ideal gas equation.It is a relation between four variables and describes any state of gas. It is also called the equation of state.
Boyle's law, $P \propto \frac{1}{V}$ ( $T$ and $n$ are constant)
Charle's law, $V \propto T$ ( $P$ and $n$ are constant)
Avogadro's law, $\mathrm{V} \propto \mathrm{n}$ ( $T$ and $P$ are constant)
Combining these laws,
$
\begin{aligned}
& V \propto \frac{n T}{P} \\
& V=R \frac{n T}{P}
\end{aligned}
$
We can deduce from the ideal gas statement
$P V=n R T$.........(1)
Where,
$P$ is the ideal gas's pressure.
$V$ is the ideal gas's volume.
$n$ is the number of moles.
The universal gas constant $R$.
$T$ is the temperature
We get by rearranging the previous equation for R:
$\mathrm{R}=\frac{\mathrm{PV}}{\mathrm{nT}} \ldots \ldots \ldots$.......(2)
This is the formula for the gas constant.
The unit of $R$ is given by, which is derived from equation (2).
$
\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{R}=\frac{\left(\mathrm{N} / \mathrm{m}^2\right) \times\left(\mathrm{m}^3\right)}{(\mathrm{mol}) \times(\mathrm{K})} \\
& \mathrm{R}=\frac{\mathrm{Nm}}{\mathrm{~mol} \times \mathrm{K}}
\end{aligned}
$
(Newton-meter = Joule)
$\mathrm{R}=\frac{\mathrm{Joule}}{\mathrm{~mol} \times \mathrm{K}}$........(3)
Temperature is 273K, pressure is1.01105N/m2, and volume is 22.410-3m3 at STP for 1 mole of gas (n=1mol).
We find the gas constant value R by substituting these numbers in equation (2) and simplifying.
As a result, the value is
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R value can be stated in a variety of unit systems depending on the necessity for calculation. We know, for instance, that 1 calorie = 4184 joules when you use the gas constant R-value in calories, and then the value of R is.
$
\mathrm{R}=\frac{8.31}{4.184} \mathrm{CalMol}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}
$
$
\mathrm{R}=1.97 \mathrm{CaIMol}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}
$
Similarly, the gas constant R values can be expressed in a variety of units, as shown in the table below.
| Value of R | Units of R |
| 8.31 | J mol⁻¹K⁻¹ |
| 1.98 | Cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ |
| 8.31 | m³(Pa)mol⁻¹K⁻¹ |
| 0.0821 | L(atm) mol⁻¹K⁻¹ |
| 62.36 | L(torr) mol⁻¹K⁻¹ |
| 1.98 x 10⁻³ | kCal mol⁻¹K⁻¹ |
| 8.3144598 × 103 | amu.m2.s-2.K-1 |
| 8.3144598 × 10-2 | L.bar.K-1.mol-1 |
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The gas constant R is an essential parameter in thermodynamics and physical chemistry. It helps in facilitating the understanding and calculation of gas behaviours. In this article, we learnt about the definition of the gas constant, R-value and its different units. Its values vary based on units. The gas constant R is a crucial constant in thermodynamics and ideal gas equation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We know from the ideal gas equation that,
R=PV/nT
P=1atm, T=273K, and V=22.4L for n=1mol at STP,
By substituting the above values into the R equation,
R = 1 atm x 22.4 L/1 mol x 243 K
The required answer isR = 0.0821 L(atm) Mol-1K-1.
The value of the gas constant 'R' is determined by the pressure, volume, and temperature units used.
R = 0.0821 litre.atm/mol-K,
R = 8.3145 J/mol-K,
R = 8.2057 m3atm/mol-K,
R = 62.3637 L-Torr/mol-K,
PV=nRT, where n is the number of moles and the universal gas constant R is the ideal gas law. The value of R varies depending on the units used, but it is commonly expressed as R = 8.314 J/mol-K in S.I. units. As a result, the gas constant R value is equated to 287 J/kg-K can be used for air.
The value of R is computed accordingly at atm i.e. at STP (standard temp and pressure). At STP, the temperature value is 273K, for 1 mole of gas (n=1 mol), the pressures are1.01105.
The dimensions are energy per degree per mole of the universal gas constant R. The value of R is 8.314598 joules of kelvin (K) a mole in the meter-kilogram-second system.
The value of R is R=8.314 J/K/mole
The S.I unit of gas constant is J mol⁻¹K⁻¹.