Question

A cylinder of gas is compressed by a piston from an initial volume of 125 liters to a final volume of 90 liters. The compression occurs at constant pressure, and the work done on the gas by the piston is 104 joules. What is the gas pressure during the compression? (1 liter = 10-3 meters3) A. 4 × 102 pascals B. 3 × 105 pascals C. 1 × 105 pascals D. 3 × 104 pascals E. 3 × 10-1 pascals

Answer 1

The pressure of the gas during compression is calculated by dividing the work done on the gas (104 joules) by the change in volume (-35 liters converted to meters cubed). The result is a pressure of 3 x 10^5 pascals.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question regarding the pressure of a gas during compression, we can use the formula for work done at constant pressure: W = P × ΔV, where W is the work done, P is the pressure, and ΔV is the change in volume. Given that the work done on the gas by the piston is 104 joules, and the change in volume (ΔV) is the final volume (90 liters) minus the initial volume (125 liters), which can be converted to meters³ by multiplying by 10-3.

We have the change in volume: ΔV = (90 - 125) liters = -35 liters = -35 × 10-3 m³. We can rearrange the formula to solve for P: P = W / ΔV. Substituting the known values: P = 104 J / -35 × 10-3 m³. Calculating this gives us a pressure of 3 × 105 pascals (Pascals).

Therefore, the correct option is B. 3 × 105 pascals.