Question

A sample of helium (He) occupies 8.0 liters at 1 atm and 20.0◦C. What pressure is necessary to change the volume to 1.0 liters at 10.0◦C?

Answer 1

Apply the combined gas law

PV/T = const.

P = pressure, V = volume, T = temperature, PV/T must stay constant.

Initial PVT values:

P = 1atm, V = 8.0L, T = 20.0°C = 293.15K

Final PVT values:

P = ?, V = 1.0L, T = 10.0°C = 283.15K

Set the PV/T expression for the initial and final PVT values equal to each other and solve for the final P:

1(8.0)/293.15 = P(1.0)/283.15

P = 7.7atm