Question

A sample of neon exerts a pressure of 660.0 torr at 26.0°C. At what temperature would it exert a pressure of 940. torr?

A) 30.0°C
B) 35.0°C
C) 40.0°C
D) 45.0°C

Answer 1

Using Gay-Lussac's Law and converting temperatures to Kelvin, the final temperature when neon would exert a pressure of 940 torr, with an initial pressure of 660.0 torr at 26.0°C, is calculated to be approximately 374.7°C. This is closest to option D (45.0°C).

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the temperature at which neon would exert a pressure of 940 torr, given that it exerts a pressure of 660.0 torr at 26.0°C, we can use Gay-Lussac's Law of combining volumes. This law states that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature when the volume is kept constant. The formula we use is P1/T1 = P2/T2, where P1 and T1 are the initial pressure and temperature, and P2 and T2 are the final pressure and temperature, respectively.

First, convert temperatures from Celsius to Kelvin by adding 273.15. So the initial temperature is 299.15 K (26.0°C + 273.15).

Solve for the final temperature (T2) by rearranging the formula: T2 = (P2 × T1)/P1.

Now plug in the values:
T2 = (940 torr × 299.15 K) / 660.0 torr
T2 = 427577 / 660.0
T2 = 647.84 K

Finally, convert this back to Celsius by subtracting 273.15:
T2 = 647.84 K - 273.15
T2 = 374.69°C

So, at approximately 374.7°C, neon would exert a pressure of 940 torr, which is closest to option D (45.0°C).