Calculating Weight of Argon in a Cylinder

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the weight of Argon gas in a cylinder under varying conditions of pressure and temperature. Participants explore the implications of the cylinder's dimensions, the relationship between pressure, temperature, and the amount of gas, and how to derive the weight of the gas from the given data.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the relevance of the cylinder's dimensions, suggesting that the volume remains constant.
  • Another participant points out that the total weight provided includes both the cylinder and the gas, implying that the initial mass of the gas can be calculated.
  • There is uncertainty expressed about how to isolate the weight of the gas from the total weight given.
  • Participants discuss the need to apply the ideal gas law to determine the mass of the gas using the known pressure, temperature, and volume.
  • One participant expresses confusion about how to proceed with the calculations after recognizing the need to find the weight of the gas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to calculate the weight of the gas using the provided conditions, but there is disagreement on how to approach the problem and uncertainty about the implications of the total weight given.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the mathematical steps needed to isolate the weight of the gas from the total weight of the cylinder and gas combined. There are also unresolved assumptions regarding the application of the ideal gas law in this context.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in gas laws, thermodynamics, and practical applications of physics in calculating gas weights under varying conditions.

simonak
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HI,

Here's the question :

A cylinder is fill with Argon (Ar) at 25 °C and 102,4 kPa with a total weight of 312,50 g. The dimension of the cylinder is 32,4 mm of diameter and 1,2162 m long. We remove Argon with a vacuum pump. What will be the total weight of the cylinder if the inside pressure is 18,2 mmHg and the temperature 35 °C ?

First, I don't know why they told us the dimension of the cylinder because the volume will stay the same. Second, I started to convert 18,2 mmHg to 2,42606 kPa, 25 °C to 298 K and 35 °C to 308 K.

After that, I wrote my equation :

P1 / (n1 . T1) = P2 / (n2 . T2)

Now, the only thing that is missing is the n2 so if whe isolate n2 it is :

n2 = 0.179317 mol

and we know that n = m (weight) / M (atomic weight)
so m2 = n2 * M2
...
m2 = 0.179317 mol * 39.948 g/mol
m2 = 7.16337 g
but the answer is
m2 = 310.89 g

The only thing that I'm not really sure is that in the question they told us the weight of the totat cylinder...I use this weight instead of the weight gas.

anyway, maybe it's juste a little detail but if someone could help me it would be very appreciated.

Thank you !
 
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You're given the total weight of the cylinder plus the gas. You can calculate the total weight of the gas initially, right? What should you do from here?
 
I don't know,... they gave me the total weight before and I need the total weight after...I don't know how to find the weight of the gas or the weight of the cylinder...they juste gave me the total.
 
simonak said:
I don't know how to find the weight of the gas

Sure you do. You know the pressure, temperature, and volume of the gas initially, is that enough to determine the mass of the gas (incidently, this should answer your question as to why they told you the volume)? If so, how would you do it?
 
Last edited:

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