gas constant

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Word: Gas Constant

Part of Speech: Noun (used in physics)

Definition: The gas constant is a special number used in the gas equation, which helps to describe how gases behave under different conditions. The equation is: pressure times volume equals the gas constant (R) times temperature. The value of the gas constant is approximately 8.3143 joules per kelvin per mole.

Simple Explanation:

Think of the gas constant as a key that helps scientists understand how gases work. When you know the pressure (how hard the gas is pushing), the volume (how much space the gas is in), and the temperature (how hot or cold it is), you can use the gas constant to figure out other important things about the gas.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use it: The term "gas constant" is typically used in scientific discussions, especially in chemistry and physics, when talking about gases and their properties.
• How to use it in a sentence: "To calculate the behavior of the gas, we can use the gas constant in our equation."

Example:

• "In a closed container, if the pressure of the gas is increased, the gas constant helps us determine how much the temperature will rise."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced science, the gas constant can be used in various equations, including the ideal gas law, which is written as PV = nRT, where: - P = pressure, - V = volume, - n = number of moles of gas, - R = gas constant, - T = temperature in Kelvin.

Word Variants:

• Gas Law: Refers to the relationships between pressure, volume, and temperature of gases.
• Ideal Gas: A theoretical gas that perfectly follows the gas laws.

Different Meaning:

The term "gas constant" is mostly used in a scientific context and does not have other meanings in everyday language.

Synonyms:

• Universal gas constant (this term is often interchangeable with "gas constant").

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically include the term "gas constant," as it is a very specialized scientific term.

Summary:

The gas constant is an important concept in physics that helps us understand the behavior of gases. It is used in equations that describe the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature.

Academic

Noun

1. (physics) the universal constant in the gas equation: pressure times volume = R times temperature; equal to 8.3143 joules per kelvin per mole

Synonyms

• universal gas constant
• R