Final answer:
Using Boyle's Law, which states that pressure multiplied by volume is constant at fixed mass and temperature, the student can calculate the final pressure of a gas sample after compression from 555 mL to 275 mL at constant temperature, with an initial pressure of 15.0 psi.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks how to calculate the final pressure of a gas sample if a given volume of air at a constant temperature compresses from 555 mL to 275 mL, with an initial pressure of 15.0 psi. This problem can be solved using Boyle's Law, which states that for a given mass of gas at a constant temperature, the product of pressure and volume is constant. Mathematically this can be expressed as P1V1 = P2V2, where P1 and V1 are the initial pressure and volume, and P2 and V2 are the final pressure and volume.
To find the final pressure, you would rearrange the formula to solve for P2. P2 = (P1V1) / V2. Substituting the provided values into the equation: P2 = (15.0 psi * 555 mL) / 275 mL. The mL units cancel out, leaving P2 which can be calculated to provide the final pressure in psi.