Question

2. As the caisson is pushed deeper underwater, the air pressure in the caisson rises to 26.1 psi. Since it is 1869, the caisson is illuminated using flame. At the beginning of the shift, the temperature in the caisson was 91oF. But by the end of the shift, the heat from the lights and body heat have increased the temperature in the caisson to 95oF. What is the new air pressure in the caisson?

Answer 1

The new air pressure is 21.76 psi

Step-by-step explanation:

The caisson is a fixed volume structure hence we have pressure variation with temperature at constant volume which is explained by Gay Lussac's law which states that the pressure of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to its Kelvin temperature provided that the volume remain constant.

Therefore, P₁/T₁ = P₂/T₂

Where:

P₁ = Initial air pressure = 26.1 psi

T₁ = Initial air temperature = 91 °F = 305.93 K

P₂ = New air pressure = Required

T₂ = New air temperature = 95 °F = 308.15 K

Therefore, making P₂ the subject of the formula, we have;

P₂ = (P₁ × T₂)/T₁ = (26.1×308.15)/305.93 = 21.76 psi

The new air pressure = 21.76 psi.