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The Ideal Gas Law isn't always ideal. Learn about situations where gases behave differently and calculate those changes by using van der Waals' equation.
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4 Downloads
CCSS:
Adaptable
Concepts
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
- Before showing the video, introduce situations where the Ideal Gas Law is not applicable, so learners can see where van der Waals' equation is necessary
- After the video, place learners in pairs and have them determine situations where the gases are under high pressure, low temperature, or high density
Classroom Considerations
- Video assumes learners have a fundamental understanding of pressure, volume, and temperature
- Requires a computer, access to the Internet, and a projection system
- This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
- Video relates gases to the non-ideal world of teenagers, making the video engaging for high school learners
- Resource uses a balloon and a ping-pong ball to demonstrate how the Ideal Gas Law is not always applicable to gases and to show that other considerations must be involved, such as volume and pressure correction factors
- Narrator shows, calculates, and explains van der Waals' equation
Cons
- Does not provide a practical or useful example of van der Waals' equation, leaving learners with more questions about how and when to use it