Equations · equation
Van der Waals Equation
Chemistry · 1873
- Equation
- (p + a·n²/V²)(V − nb) = nRT
- Field
- Chemistry
- Named After
- Johannes Diderik van der Waals
- Year
- 1873
Symbols
p pressure · V volume · n moles · R gas constant · T absolute temperature · a attraction between molecules · b volume the molecules themselves occupy
Significance
The ideal gas law with reality patched in: molecules attract each other and take up space. Explains why real gases condense into liquids — which pV = nRT never could.
Referenced by
element
equation
theory
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