Question

Gas under 200 kPa of pressure at a temperature of 120 ºK fills a 0.5-L container. If the temperature decreases to 80 ºK but the pressure stays the same, what volume will the gas have?

a) 0.2 L
b) 0.3 L
c) 0.5 L
d) 1.0 L

Answer 1

The volume of the gas will still be 0.5 L when the temperature decreases to 80 ºK.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, we can use Boyle's law, which states that the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional when the temperature remains constant. So, when the temperature decreases from 120 ºK to 80 ºK, the volume of the gas will increase proportionally.

Let's set up the equation:

P1V1 = P2V2

Where P1 is the initial pressure (200 kPa), V1 is the initial volume (0.5 L), P2 is the final pressure (200 kPa), and V2 is the final volume.

Substituting the given values into the equation and solving for V2:

(200 kPa)(0.5 L) = (200 kPa)(V2)

100 = 200V2

V2 = 0.5 L

Therefore, the volume of the gas will still be 0.5 L when the temperature decreases to 80 ºK.