States of Matter 1 Question 34
34. In van der Waals’ equation of state for a non-ideal gas, the term that accounts for intermolecular forces is
(1988, 1M)
(a) $(V-b)$
(b) $R T$
(c) $\left(p+\frac{a}{V^{2}}\right)$
(d) $(R T)^{-1}$
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Solution:
- In van der Waals’ equation of state
$$ \left(p+\frac{a}{V^{2}}\right)(V-b)=R T $$
(For 1 mole)
The first factor $\left(p+a / V^{2}\right)$ correct for intermolecular force while the second term $(V-b)$ correct for molecular volume.
