What does 'V' stand for in the Ideal Gas Law equation PV = nRT?

Study for the ALEKS Placement Chemistry Exam. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your chemistry exam!

In the Ideal Gas Law equation, PV = nRT, the symbol 'V' stands for Volume. This equation describes the relationship between various properties of an ideal gas: Pressure (P), Volume (V), the number of moles of the gas (n), the universal gas constant (R), and Temperature (T).

Volume is a critical component as it indicates the space that the gas occupies. According to the Ideal Gas Law, for a given amount of gas at a constant temperature, if the pressure increases, the volume must decrease, and vice versa. This inverse relationship is a fundamental characteristic of gases. Understanding this relationship allows for the calculation of how gases behave under different conditions of temperature and pressure.

The other options refer to different physical concepts that do not relate to the Ideal Gas Law. For example, velocity relates to the speed of particles, vapor density concerns the mass of vapor in relation to volume, and viscosity describes a fluid's resistance to flow. None of these are represented by 'V' in the context of the Ideal Gas Law.

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