Equation and purpose
Relate pressure, volume, amount, temperature for an ideal gas.
\[PV = nRT\]
Relate pressure, volume, amount, temperature for an ideal gas.
REARRANGEMENTS
$n=PV/RT$, $T=PV/nR$
Dimensional check: Pa·m³ = J ✓
Variables and units
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | P | — | — |
| V | V | — | — |
| n | n | — | — |
| R | R | — | — |
| T | T | — | — |
Conditions and limitations
Ideal gas approximation; low P high T; T must be in K; choose R matching P,V units.
Worked example
1.00 mol at 273 K, 1 atm → V≈22.4 L.
Ideal Gas Law
Relate pressure, volume, amount, temperature for an ideal gas.
Equation
Inline: $PV = nRT$$
Variables
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pressure | Pa or atm | — | |
| volume | L or m³ | — | |
| amount | mol | — | |
| gas constant | J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ | — | |
| temperature | K | — |
Conditions and limitations
Ideal gas approximation; low P high T; T must be in K; choose R matching P,V units.
Rearrangements
,
Dimensional check: Pa·m³ = J ✓
Worked example
1.00 mol at 273 K, 1 atm → V≈22.4 L.
Steps: write equation → substitute with units → check dimensional consistency → report with correct significant figures.
Common errors
- Using °C for T
- Mismatching R value units
Related resources
- gases-gas-laws topic
- Calculators — linked only when a real calculator implements this formula.
- Constants — sourced constants with version when values are required.
Sources
- NIST Physical Constants 2022 — CODATA.
Reviewed 2026-08-21 by Editorial Team; due 2027-08-21.
Common errors
- Using °C for T
- Mismatching R value units
RELATED FORMULAS
C
Chemistry Fundamentals Editorial TeamAuthor
E
Editorial Review BoardReviewer
Editorial Team — transparent review placeholder
Reviewed August 21, 2026
SOURCES
- [nist-2022]NIST Physical Constants 2022 (2022). NISThttps://physics.nist.gov/constants