In the van der Waals equation (P + an 2 /V 2 )(V - nb) = nRT, the constant b accounts for:

Pressure exerted by container walls

🧪 Chemistry · States of Matter · NEET & JEE

In the van der Waals equation (P + an<sup>2</sup>/V<sup>2</sup>)(V - nb) = nRT, the constant b accounts for:

Answer: Effective volume occupied by gas molecules.

A Intermolecular attraction
B Effective volume occupied by gas molecules
C Temperature correction
D Pressure exerted by container walls

Correct answer: B. Effective volume occupied by gas molecules

Explanation: The constant b corrects for the finite volume occupied by gas molecules themselves, reducing the available free volume.

Graph of pressure versus volume for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature: the curve falls steeply then flattens, a hyperbola showing pressure inversely proportional to volume.

Boyle's law: at constant temperature the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to its volume (P ∝ 1/V), so the P–V plot is a hyperbola — halving the volume doubles the pressure. Image: Reginaprice2013, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Discover why gases expand to fill any container while liquids flow and solids hold their shape. Master the gas laws, the ideal gas equation, and the reasons real gases deviate from ideal behavior.

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In the van der Waals equation (P + an<sup>2</sup>/V<sup>2</sup>)(V - nb) = nRT, the constant b accounts for:

Concept context

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