The actual volume occupied by most gases at high pressures is larger than that predicted by the ideal gas law. This is because

This is because of Van der Waals forces

Explanation:

The ideal gas laws do not take into account the inter molecular forces that exist between the molecules of the gas. However, Van der Waals discovery showed that some weak forces of attraction exist between the molecules of the gas and at high pressures, their presence can affect the volume of the gas, making it larger than what is predicted by the ideal gas law.

These forces of attraction between the gas molecules is called Van der Waals forces.

Explanation:

The ideal gas predict that that

PV=nRT

Compressibility Z= PV/nRT

Can be used to check the varying volume of gases when it leaves ideality

Note before in ideal gases it was assumed that the volume of the gas is the same as the containing vessel

For a real gas at any pressure it can be seen that volume of gases occupied is large because we take both the volume of the gas itdelf and that of the containing vessel