A researcher interested in studying the behavior of a novel gaseous compound develops a chamber that will allow him to set the temperature and pressure for different experiments. Which of the following settings will allow him to make the most accurate measurements?
- A gas at high pressure and temperature
- A gas at low pressure and temperature
- A gas at high pressure and low temperature
- A gas at low pressure and high temperature
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To make the most accurate measurements, he will want the gas to follow ideal behavior. The ideal gas law, PV=nRT, is based on two assumptions: 1) individual molecular volume is negligible, and 2) intermolecular forces do not exist. A real gas at high temperature and low-pressure conditions, best approximates these two assumptions, and thus the ideal gas law. Therefore, answer choice D is the correct answer.
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