When a gas is subjected to extremely high pressure, which of the following statements best describes its behavior?

• A. The gas expands and occupies a larger volume.
• B. The gas will always follow the ideal gas law regardless of the pressure.
• C. The gas molecules are forced closer together, and the gas may deviate from ideal behavior.
• D. The temperature of the gas must decrease significantly.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the assumptions of the ideal gas law, which treats gas molecules as point particles with no volume and no intermolecular forces.
2. Understand that at extremely high pressure, gas molecules are forced closer together, so their finite size and intermolecular forces become significant.
3. Recognize that under these conditions, the gas no longer behaves ideally and deviates from the ideal gas law predictions.
4. Note that the gas does not necessarily expand; instead, its volume typically decreases due to compression.
5. Conclude that the correct description is that gas molecules are forced closer together, causing deviations from ideal behavior.