Question

Explain the physical significance of van der Waals parameters.

Answer 1

In the reaction

where V and ‘b’ are the van der Walls parameters which depend upon the nature of gas.

The significance of constant ‘V: The constant 'V is excluded volume per mol of gas.

Its units are L ${{mol}^{-1}}$ The volume of ‘V is four times the actual volume of the molecules.  

The significance of constant ‘a’:

It gives the idea of the magnitude of attractive forces between the gas molecules.

Its units are atm ${{L}^{2}}$ ${{mol}^{-2}}$.

Larger the value of ‘a’ Larger will be the intermolecular attraction among the gas molecules."