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States of Matter & Gas Laws

Gaseous State

The state of matter in which particles are widely separated and move randomly at high speed, filling any container completely.

Formula / equation pV = nRT
Unit Dimensionless

In depth

Intermolecular forces are negligible compared with kinetic energy, so gases have neither definite shape nor volume, are highly compressible, and mix completely in all proportions. Their density is around a thousandth that of the corresponding liquid, and they exert pressure by colliding with the container walls.

Examples in the real world

Oxygen and nitrogen in air, carbon dioxide in a fizzy drink, and helium in a balloon.