Understanding the Ideal Gas Law in Solving Pressure-Volume Problems

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Ideal Gas Law and its application in solving pressure-volume problems. Participants explore the relationship between pressure, volume, and the constant involved in the equation, as well as the necessary conditions for applying the law.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in determining the constant k in the equation y=k/x, where y represents volume and x represents pressure.
  • Another participant suggests that if the volume is known to be 160, k can be calculated as k=yx, but notes that k depends on temperature.
  • A third participant references the Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT) and clarifies the variables involved, indicating that additional information is needed to solve the original problem.
  • Further clarification is provided on the relationship between pressure, volume, temperature, and the number of entities, emphasizing the conditions under which the Ideal Gas Law can be applied.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific values or constants needed to solve the problem, and multiple interpretations of the initial question remain. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the known quantities and the application of the Ideal Gas Law.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence of the constant k on temperature and the need for additional information to apply the Ideal Gas Law effectively. There are unresolved aspects regarding the units of volume and the specific conditions of the problem.

AshyLarry
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Need help for a friend...Easy

I took physics last year at HS. and my buddy is asking me for help and I can't remember any of this. Here is what I know

What is the value for volume for a pressure of 500 torr?
y= volume 160
k= constant
x= pressure 500

y=k/x


what is k the constant ?
 
Last edited:
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Are you given that the volume is 160 (units?) and need k? In that case solve for k by multiplying by x on both sides to get k=yx. Above the equations you ask what the volume is, which confuses me a little. If you do not know k, you can't find the volume, since k will depend on the temperature.
 
Are you talking about PV=nRT? (P=pressure, V=volume, n=# of moles, R=universal gas constant, T=temp.)
 
So the idea is there will be some function relating pressure, volume, temperature (absolute), and number of entities. The ideal gas approximation is often used in simple problems and asserts that
PV/nT=R
where
P=pressure
V=volume
n=number of entities
T=temperature (absolute)
this also means that
P1V1/n1T1=P2V2/n2T2
so one variable can be found if all others are known, or known to not change.
For your question more information is needed.
 

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