What does PV=nRT represent in the Ideal Gas Law?

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Study for the MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Exam. Practice with multiple choice questions, each with detailed explanations and hints. Excel in your exam and achieve your target score!

The Ideal Gas Law is succinctly represented by the equation PV=nRT, where each symbol stands for a specific physical quantity associated with an ideal gas.

In this equation:

  • ( P ) stands for pressure, which is the force exerted per unit area by gas molecules.
  • ( V ) represents volume, indicating the space that the gas occupies.
  • ( n ) represents the amount of substance, measured in moles, which quantifies how many particles or entities are present in the gas.
  • ( R ) is the gas constant, a proportionality factor that relates the pressure, volume, and temperature in gas equations.
  • ( T ) signifies temperature, measured in Kelvin, which reflects the kinetic energy of the gas particles.

Each of these components is essential in demonstrating how an ideal gas behaves under varying conditions of pressure, volume, and temperature. The relationship expressed in this law allows for predictions about a gas’s behavior when one of these conditions changes, making it a fundamental principle in chemistry and physics.

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