Calculate Pressure of Air in a Cylinder

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter smeating
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Air Cylinder Pressure
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the pressure of air in a cylinder with a diameter of 4 cm and a height of 12 cm when compressed to half its original height. Key concepts include the Ideal Gas Law and the Combined Gas Law, which are essential for understanding the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature. The discussion highlights that the method of compression—adiabatic or isothermal—significantly affects the resulting pressure. Different equations apply for each compression method, necessitating a clear understanding of thermodynamic principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Ideal Gas Law
  • Familiarity with the Combined Gas Law
  • Knowledge of adiabatic and isothermal processes
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Ideal Gas Law and its applications in real-world scenarios
  • Study the Combined Gas Law and its derivations
  • Learn about adiabatic and isothermal processes in gas compression
  • Explore practical examples of pressure calculations in cylinders
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or engineering, professionals in thermodynamics, and anyone involved in mechanical design or gas compression systems will benefit from this discussion.

smeating
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I am starting out with a cylinder that measures 4cm diameter and height is 12cm with the air being under no pressure. I then want to colapse the cylinder down to half of it's original height, pressurizing the cylinder. Can someone tell me what the pressure would be.

Thanks in advance for any help

cheers,
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You may need to consider things like temperature, too - Google the Ideal Gas Law and read about the assumptions made for an Ideal Gas, then search for the Combined Gas Law, which is really probably what you're looking for.

-Kerry
 
KLoux said:
You may need to consider things like temperature, too - Google the Ideal Gas Law and read about the assumptions made for an Ideal Gas, then search for the Combined Gas Law, which is really probably what you're looking for.

-Kerry

This depends on the method of compression. If it is compressed rapidly, (i.e. adiabatically) both the temperature and pressure will increase. If the gas is allowed to return to the temperature it was before compression, the pressure will be different than in the previous example. There are different equations for each process (adiabatic and isothermal).
 

Similar threads

Undergrad "Air Pressure" is not "the weight of the air above you"
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
High School Question about pressure of a liquid
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School What is the pressure acting on the air?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Rebound Height vs Air Pressure: A Puzzling Relationship
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Graduate Model pressure loss vs time for air in a cylinder w/ hole
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Graduate Calculation of Pressure in a Cylinder with an orifice on its surface
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Can someone help calculate pressure drop ?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Water doesn’t fall in inverted half cup
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
High School Pressure of captured air under water
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Graduate What is the approximate pressure at the center of a cool Earth with no gravity?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K