Final answer:
The correcct answer is D) in the storage tank.Compressed air is stored in a storage tank designed to handle high pressures, with a safety factor to ensure it does not fail under normal operating conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compressed air is typically stored in a storage tank. This container is specifically designed to withstand high pressures and is commonly used in various applications such as industrial settings, diving, and in emergency breathing devices. The storage tank must be able to handle pressures significantly higher than the maximum working pressure to ensure safety. For example, if a gas is stored at a high pressure of about 200 atmospheres at room temperature, the storage tank will have a safety factor of 2. This means the tank is designed to not fail until pressures reach approximately 400 atmospheres.
If the storage tank is exposed to high temperatures, as in the event of a fire, the pressure inside the tank will increase due to the gas expanding. The tank's ability to contain the compressed air becomes compromised as the temperature rises. To determine how hot the gas can get before the cylinder is at risk of failing, one would need to consider the properties of the gas, the material of the cylinder, and apply the ideal gas law or relevant thermodynamic equations.
In conclusion, the correct answer to where compressed air is stored is D) in the storage tank.
SUMUP of the final answer:
- Compressed air is stored in a storage tank.
- The storage tank is designed with a safety factor to withstand high pressures.
- It is unsafe for the tank to be subjected to high temperatures as it increases internal pressure, potentially leading to failure.