# Problem: Consider the following gases, all at STP: Ne, SF6, N2, CH4.Which one has the highest total molecular volume relative to the space occupied by the gas?

###### FREE Expert Solution

We’re being asked which has the highest total molecular volume relative to the space occupied by the gas.

The ideal gas theory does not consider the volume of the gas molecules itself so we need to consider another theory that can account for like the Van de Waals theory of gas.

The Van der Waals equation is shown below:

$\overline{)\left(\mathbf{P}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{a}\frac{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{2}}}{{\mathbf{V}}^{\mathbf{2}}}\right)\left(\mathbf{V}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{n}\mathbf{b}\right){\mathbf{=}}{\mathbf{n}}{\mathbf{R}}{\mathbf{T}}}$

P = pressure, atm
V = volume, L
n = # of moles, mol
R = gas constant = 0.08206 (Latm)/(molK)
T = temperature, K
a = polarity coefficient
= size coefficient

###### Problem Details

Consider the following gases, all at STP: Ne, SF6, N2, CH4.

Which one has the highest total molecular volume relative to the space occupied by the gas?