Final answer:
Volume variance is a term which can reference deviations in predicted versus actual figures in both business and physical sciences. In physical chemistry, it relates to real gas behavior, correcting for non-ideal conditions like intermolecular attractions and molecular volume. The concept may also include other factors like measurement irregularities and external conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When referring to the concept of volume variance, it typically pertains to a business or accounting context, where it is used to describe the difference between the expected volume and the actual volume of production, sales, or usage that affects a company's financial figures. However, the data provided seems to discuss volume variance in the context of physical sciences, specifically relating to the behavior of gases and the conditions of volume and pressure under which they are measured. Here, the variance is indeed due to causes other than the volume such as intermolecular forces and the actual size of the molecules.
For example, the non-zero molecular volumes increase the actual volume beyond what would be predicted by the ideal gas law at high pressures, necessitating a correction for the actual volume available. Similarly, intermolecular attractions, which are not considered in the ideal gas law, reduce the actual pressure compared to the predicted pressure. Therefore, in the context of physical chemistry, a positive correction must be added to the pressure to account for these attractions.
Volume variance can also refer to the differences observed in produced or measured volumes due to external factors, such as irregularities in the objects being measured or varying external conditions like pressure. However, in certain cases, such as with liquids and solids under high pressure, the decrease in volume is minimal due to significant resistance to compression.