Real Gas Lab

Real Gas Simulator – van der Waals Equation Online

At high pressures and low temperatures, real gases deviate from the ideal gas law because molecules have finite volume and experience intermolecular attractions. This simulation applies the van der Waals equation of state to visualize PV isotherms, the compressibility factor Z, and the Joule-Thomson effect, making van der Waals constants a and b physically intuitive.

What you can do in this simulation

• Plot PV isotherms for a chosen gas at multiple temperatures and identify the critical point
• Display the compressibility factor Z = PV/nRT as a function of pressure for real vs. ideal gas
• Adjust van der Waals constants a (intermolecular attraction) and b (excluded volume) independently
• Observe condensation on the isotherm below critical temperature and trace the Maxwell construction
• Simulate Joule-Thomson expansion and predict whether temperature rises or falls for a given gas

Concepts covered

van der Waals equation · compressibility factor Z · critical point · intermolecular forces · Joule-Thomson effect · ideal gas law deviations

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