Question

At constant temperature, the behavior of a sample of a real gas more closely approximates that of an ideal gas as its volume is increased because the :

• A. collisions with the walls of the container become less frequent
• B. average molecular speed decreases
• C. molecules have expanded
• D. average distance between molecules becomes greater

Answer 1

The correct option is D average distance between molecules becomes greater

Option D is correct.

At constant temperature, the behavior of a sample of a real gas more closely approximates that of an ideal gas as its volume is increased because the average distance between molecules becomes greater. The temperature did not change, so the average kinetic energy and average molecular speed did not change. The molecule size does not change either, so the molecule could not have expanded. The distance between the molecules increases causing a decrease in intermolecular forces, thus reducing the interaction between the molecules.