Question

A gas at constant temperature occupies a volume of 2.40 L and exerts a pressure of 0.85 atm. What volume will the gas occupy at a pressure of 0.15 atm? Work must be shown in order to earn credit.

Answer 1

Answer:

13.6L

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Initial Volume V₁ = 2.4L

Initial pressure P₁ = 0.85atm

Final pressure P₂ = 0.15atm

Final volume V₂ = ?

Solution

To solve the problem we have to take the condition stated in the problem very carefully. It was stated that the gas was at a constant temperature.

According to Boyle's law" The volume of a fixed mass of a gas varies inversely as the pressure changes if the temperature is constant".

We can simply apply this law to solve the problem:

The law is mathematically expressed as P₁V₁ = P₂V₂

     

The unknown here is V₂ the final volume. We express it as the subject of the formula:

                     V₂ = $\frac{P_{1} V_{1} }{P_{2} }$

Now solving for the final volume, we have:

                 V₂ = $\frac{2.4 x 0.85}{0.15}$

                 V₂ = $\frac{2.04}{0.15}$ = 13.6L