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Compressibility Factor Equation:
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The compressibility factor (Z) is a dimensionless quantity that describes the deviation of a real gas from ideal gas behavior. It is defined as the ratio of the molar volume of a gas to the molar volume of an ideal gas at the same temperature and pressure.
The calculator uses the compressibility factor equation:
Where:
Explanation: For an ideal gas, Z = 1. For real gases, Z deviates from 1 due to intermolecular forces and molecular volume effects.
Details: The compressibility factor is crucial in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and gas processing for accurate prediction of gas behavior under various conditions, especially at high pressures and low temperatures.
Tips: Enter pressure in atm, volume in liters, number of moles, and temperature in Kelvin. All values must be positive and non-zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What does Z = 0.85 indicate?
A: Z = 0.85 for CO₂ at 300K and 10 atm indicates attractive forces dominate, making the gas more compressible than an ideal gas.
Q2: When should I use van der Waals equation instead?
A: Use van der Waals equation when you need to account for molecular size and intermolecular forces more accurately, especially at high pressures.
Q3: What are typical Z values for common gases?
A: At standard conditions, most gases have Z close to 1. At high pressures, Z can be significantly different (Z > 1 for repulsive dominance, Z < 1 for attractive dominance).
Q4: How does temperature affect Z?
A: At constant pressure, Z generally approaches 1 as temperature increases because thermal energy overcomes intermolecular forces.
Q5: Can Z be negative?
A: No, Z is always positive as it represents a ratio of physical quantities that are always positive.