1. What is the Compressibility Factor?

The compressibility factor (Z) is a dimensionless quantity that describes the deviation of a real gas from ideal gas behavior. It compares the actual volume of a gas to the volume it would occupy if it behaved as an ideal gas under the same conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the compressibility factor equation:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Compressibility factor (dimensionless)
• \( P \) — Pressure (Pa)
• \( V \) — Volume (m³)
• \( n \) — Number of moles (mol)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K)
• \( T \) — Temperature (K)

Explanation: For an ideal gas, Z = 1. When Z < 1, attractive forces dominate; when Z > 1, repulsive forces dominate.

3. Importance of Compressibility Factor

Details: The compressibility factor is crucial in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and gas processing for accurate prediction of gas behavior, especially at high pressures and low temperatures where gases deviate significantly from ideal behavior.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter pressure in Pascals, volume in cubic meters, number of moles, and temperature in Kelvin. All values must be positive and non-zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does Z = 1 mean?
A: Z = 1 indicates ideal gas behavior where the gas follows the ideal gas law perfectly.

Q2: When is Z typically less than 1?
A: Z < 1 usually occurs at moderate pressures where attractive intermolecular forces reduce the volume compared to an ideal gas.

Q3: When is Z typically greater than 1?
A: Z > 1 occurs at high pressures where repulsive forces between molecules become significant, increasing the volume.

Q4: What is the range of Z values?
A: Z can range from near 0 (for highly compressed gases) to values significantly greater than 1, depending on pressure and temperature conditions.

Q5: How does temperature affect Z?
A: At constant pressure, Z generally approaches 1 as temperature increases because thermal energy overcomes intermolecular forces.