Van der Waals equation of state

The van der Waals equation is

Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle \left. p = \frac{ n R T}{V - n b } - a \left( \frac{ n}{V} \right)^2 \right. } .

where:

• Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle p } is the pressure

• $V$ is the volume

• Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle n } is the number of moles

• Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle T } is the absolute temperature

• Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle R } is the Gas constant; Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle R = N_A k_B } , with Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle N_A } being Avogadro constant

The van der Waals equation of state takes into account two features that are absent in the ideal Gas equation of state:

The parameter $b$ introduces somehow the repulsive behavior between pairs of molecules at short distances, it represents the minimum molar volume of the system.

whereas Failed to parse (SVG (MathML can be enabled via browser plugin): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle a } measures the attractive interactions between the molecules

The van der Waals equation of state leads to a liquid-vapor equilibrium at low temperatures, with the corresponding critical point

References

1. J. D. van der Waals "On the Continuity of the Gaseous and Liquid States", Dover Publications ISBN: 0486495930