Gay-Lussac’s Law of Combining Volume

Gay-Lussac’s Law of Combining Volume states that when gases react, they do so in volumes, which are simple ratios to one another and to the volume of their product if gaseous, provided the temperature and pressure remain constant.

Example: 40 cm³ of carbon (II) oxide are sparked with 60cm³ of oxygen. If all the volumes of gases are measured at S.T. P, calculate the volume of excess reactant and name the gas.

Solution:

2CO_(g) + O_2(g) 2CO_2(g)

2         :       1

Since the CO and O₂ are in 2:1 respectively.

2CO_(g) + O_2(g) 2CO_2(g)

40cm₃ : 20cm₃

So, the reactant in excess is oxygen. The volume of excess oxygen = 60 – 20 = 40cm³