Question

The valve on a tank of pressurized oxygen is opened and the oxygen rushes out. After oxygen gas stops flowing from a tank, some gas remains inside. Explain what determines how much gas is still in the tank.

a) The initial pressure of the gas in the tank..
b) The volume of the tank..
c) The inside pressure will rush out until it equals the outside pressure.
d) None of the above..

Answer 1

The amount of gas remaining in a tank after discharge stops is determined by the equalization of the internal pressure of the tank with the external atmospheric pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to what determines the amount of gas remaining in a tank after the valve is opened and the gas rushes out. It can be explained using the principles of gas behavior under different conditions of volume and pressure.

When the oxygen gas stops flowing from the tank, the amount of gas remaining inside the tank is determined by the pressure inside the tank equalizing with the atmospheric pressure outside the tank (option c). The gas flow will stop once the inside and outside pressures are balanced.

This is in line with Boyle's Law, which indicates a direct, inversely proportional relationship between the volume of the container and the pressure of the gas inside. If the volume stays constant, as more gas is released, the internal pressure decreases until it matches the atmospheric pressure.