What is vapour density?

Vapour density is defined as the ratio of the mass of a given volume of a gas to the mass of the same volume of a standard gas at the same temperature and pressure. The standard gas is usually considered to be hydrogen, which has a vapour density of 1.

Vapour density is an important property that is used to identify the chemical composition of gases. The vapour density of a gas can be determined experimentally by measuring the mass of a known volume of gas and comparing it to the mass of the same volume of the standard gas.

The vapour density of a gas is directly linked to its molecular weight, as heavier molecules will have a higher vapour density than lighter molecules. This property is particularly important in the study of organic chemistry, where the determination of molecular weight and formula can be critical for the accurate characterization of compounds.

Overall, vapour density is a useful tool for understanding the physical properties and chemical composition of gases, and is an essential parameter in many scientific and industrial applications.