Question

A sample of oxygen gas occupies a volume of 250 mL at 740 mmHg. What volume will it occupy at 800 mmHg?

Answer 1

Step 1

Boyle's Law is applied here. It states that the pressure of a given amount of gas varies inversely with its volume. The temperature remains constant.

Mathematically:

P1 x V1 = P2 x V2 (1)

P for pressure and V for volume

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Step 2

Data provided:

Conditions 1:

P1 = 740 mmHg

V1 = 250 mL

Conditions 2:

P2 = 800 mmHg

V2 = unknown

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Step 3

From (1) V2 is cleared:

P1 x V1/P2 = V2

740 mmHg x 250 mL/800 mmHg = 231 mL approx.

Answer: V2 = 231 mL