At 273 K and 1 atm pressure, 1 mol of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 L. (Section 10.4) (c) In which parts of the atmosphere would you expect gases to behave most ideally (ignoring any photochemical reactions)? [Section 18.1]

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insert step 1> Identify the conditions under which gases behave ideally. Ideal gas behavior is most closely approximated under conditions of high temperature and low pressure.

insert step 2> Consider the layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

insert step 3> Analyze the temperature and pressure conditions in each layer.

insert step 4> Recognize that the upper layers of the atmosphere, such as the thermosphere, have lower pressure and higher temperatures compared to the lower layers.

insert step 5> Conclude that gases are likely to behave most ideally in the upper layers of the atmosphere, such as the thermosphere, due to the low pressure and high temperature conditions.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ideal Gas Law

The Ideal Gas Law is a fundamental equation in chemistry that relates the pressure, volume, temperature, and number of moles of an ideal gas. It is expressed as PV = nRT, where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is temperature in Kelvin. This law helps predict the behavior of gases under various conditions, particularly at low pressures and high temperatures.

Conditions for Ideal Gas Behavior

Gases behave most ideally under conditions of low pressure and high temperature. At low pressures, gas molecules are far apart, reducing intermolecular forces, while high temperatures provide sufficient kinetic energy to overcome these forces. In the atmosphere, regions with lower pressure and higher temperatures, such as the upper troposphere, are where gases are expected to behave more ideally.

Atmospheric Layers

The atmosphere is divided into several layers, each characterized by different temperature and pressure conditions. The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere have varying altitudes and properties. In the upper layers, particularly the stratosphere, the pressure is lower, which contributes to more ideal gas behavior compared to the denser, lower layers of the atmosphere.

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Textbook Question

At 273 K and 1 atm pressure, 1 mol of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 L. (Section 10.4) (b) Looking at Figure 18.1, we see that the temperature is lower at 85 km altitude than at 50 km. Does this mean that one mole of an ideal gas would occupy less volume at 85 km than at 50 km? Explain.

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Textbook Question

The figure shows the three lowest regions of Earth's atmo- sphere.

(d) An aurora borealis is due to excitation of atoms and molecules in the atmosphere 55–95 km above Earth's surface. Which regions in the figure are involved in an aurora borealis?

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Textbook Question

Where does the energy come from to evaporate the esti- mated 425,000 km3 of water that annually leaves the oceans, as illustrated here? [Section 18.3]

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