Final answer:
Using Boyle's Law, which states the inverse relationship between pressure and volume, the initial volume (V1) is calculated as 25 mL when the pressure decreases from 4 atm to 2 atm, and the final volume (V2) is provided as 50 mL.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves understanding the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas, which is described by Boyle's Law. The law states that for a fixed amount of gas at a constant temperature, the pressure of the gas is inversely proportional to its volume. Given the initial pressure (P1) and the final pressure (P2), we need to find the initial volume (V1) that corresponds to the final volume (V2) of 50 mL with the pressure decreasing from 4 atm to 2 atm.
According to Boyle's Law, P1 * V1 = P2 * V2. Using the data provided, V1 could be calculated as follows: V1 = (P2 * V2) / P1. Substituting the values, we have V1 = (2 atm * 50 mL) / 4 atm, which simplifies to V1 = 25 mL. Therefore, the correct answer is V1 = 25 mL.