Write the van der Waals equation for n moles of a real gas and explain the significance of constants a and b — JEE Chemistry

$$\left(P + \frac{an^2}{V^2}\right)(V - nb) = nRT$$

• $a$ = intermolecular attraction correction (pressure correction). Larger $a$ → stronger intermolecular forces.
• $b$ = excluded volume correction (volume correction). $b$ accounts for the finite size of molecules.

For 1 mole:
$$\left(P + \frac{a}{V^2}\right)(V - b) = RT$$