Question

If the temperature is kept constant, what change in volume would cause the pressure of an enclosed gas to be reduced to one-third of its original value?

a) increasing the volume by a factor of nine

b) decreasing the volume by a factor of three

c) increasing the volume by a factor of three

d) decreasing the volume by a factor of nine

Answer 1

increasing the volume by a factor of three

Answer 2

c) increasing the volume by a factor of three.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

By recalling the Boyle's Law:

`P_1V_1=P_2V_2`

One states the pressure change:

`P_2=(1)/(3)P_1`

Now, replacing the pressure at the second state one obtains for the volume at the second state:

`V_2=(V_1P_1)/((1)/(3)P_1)\\V_2=3V_1`

Finally, one concludes that the volume must be increased by a factor of three.

Best regards.