Question

A sample of gas is placed in a rigid container. If the original conditions were 320 torr and 400 K, what will be the pressure in the container at 200 K?

a. 160 torr
b. 640 torr
c. 250 torr
d. 760 torr

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we can use the combined gas law, which states:

P₁V₁/T₁ = P₂V₂/T₂

where P₁ and T₁ are the initial pressure and temperature, P₂ and T₂ are the final pressure and temperature, and V₁ and V₂ are the initial and final volumes (assuming constant volume in this case since the container is rigid).

Let's plug in the values given:

P₁ = 320 torr
T₁ = 400 K
T₂ = 200 K

Since the volume is constant, V₁ = V₂, so we don't need to include it in the equation.

Now, we can solve for P₂:

P₁/T₁ = P₂/T₂

P₂ = (P₁ * T₂) / T₁
= (320 torr * 200 K) / 400 K
= 160 torr

Therefore, the pressure in the container at 200 K would be 160 torr (option a).