chemistry problem

Question

would the molar mass of the unknown gas be higher or lower if someone accidently read the temperature as 99.9 celcius versus the correct value of 99.0 celcius. Explain using the relationships of the ideal gas law and molar mass equation?

Answer 1

Bun,

First, as you probably know by now??, it's Celsius, not celcius. So -- you read the temperature high, thus you would calculate the mol of gas low (since n and T are on the same side of the equation pV=nRT). Then, since you have weighed the gas (correctly), you calculate the molar mass high (since improperly low mol*improperly high molar mass = correct total mass.

You should write the pV=nRT equation down and "chase" errors for each of the observed variables through, until you thoroughly understand this. That is because, frequently enough in science, we do make errors, whether "determinate" or "indeterminate", and have to reckon their potential effects on our results!