Under which of the following conditions are gases most likely to behave ideally?

• A. High temperature and low pressure
• B. High temperature and high pressure
• C. Low temperature and low pressure
• D. Low temperature and high pressure

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that gases behave most ideally when the interactions between gas molecules are minimal and the volume of the gas molecules themselves is negligible compared to the container volume.
2. Understand that at high temperatures, gas molecules have higher kinetic energy, which helps overcome intermolecular attractions, making the gas behave more ideally.
3. Recognize that at low pressures, gas molecules are far apart, reducing the effect of their finite volume and intermolecular forces, which also promotes ideal behavior.
4. Combine these insights to conclude that gases behave most ideally under conditions of high temperature and low pressure.
5. Review the other options and note that low temperature or high pressure increase intermolecular forces or molecular volume effects, causing deviations from ideal gas behavior.