🧪 Chemistry · States of Matter · NEET & JEE

In the van der Waals equation, the constant "a" accounts for:

Answer: the intermolecular attraction.

A the finite molecular volume
B the intermolecular attraction
C the total molecular mass
D the frequency of collisions

Correct answer: B. the intermolecular attraction

Explanation: The term an²/V² corrects the pressure for attractive forces between molecules.

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, the constant "a" accounts for:

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