Calculating Air Pressure: Ideal Gas Law Homework Solution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving the calculation of air pressure using the Ideal Gas Law. Participants are addressing specific calculations related to cylinder pressure, moles of air, and the implications of temperature changes on pressure readings.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) calculates the cylinder pressure as 768 mm Hg and the moles of air as 1.448×10-4 mol, but is uncertain about the air pressure calculation at high temperature.
  • Some participants seek clarification on the meaning of "cylinder" and "h," indicating a lack of context regarding the experimental setup.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the OP's calculations and the conditions under which they were made, questioning the rigidity of the cylinder and the relevance of atmospheric pressure.
  • The OP mentions a correction made to the volume and refers to a classmate's result of 420 mm Hg, contrasting it with their own calculation of over 480 mm Hg.
  • There is a request for assistance in understanding the calculations, particularly regarding the use of volume in the high-temperature pressure calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the definitions and implications of the variables involved, leading to multiple competing views on the calculations and their context.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the experimental setup, including the nature of the cylinder and the significance of the variable "h." The OP's calculations depend on assumptions that are not fully clarified in the discussion.

aaronfue
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Homework Statement



I'm trying to calculate the air pressure from some data that I have.

#1. Calculate the cylinder pressure. (barometric pressure=765 mmHg, h=35mm)

#2. Calculate the moles of air using low temperature and volume and cylinder pressure above. (Low temp=50.0deg Celsius, vol=4.0mL, R=62.36)

#3. Calculate the air pressure using the high temperature reading from data. (High temp = 80deg Celsius)

Homework Equations



Ideal Gas Law
PV=nRT

The Attempt at a Solution



I have converted the temps to Kelvin and the mL to L. I have also made a -0.2 mL correction to my volume.

Question #1= 768 mm Hg

Question #2 = 1.448×10-4 mol air

Question #3 = The question doesn't say to use the volume for that high temp, so I use it anyways. Another classmate got 420 mm Hg. But I don't get that. I get 480+ mm Hg.

Should I use the volume from question #2 since #3 doesn't specify?

The data that was collected is the same as my classmates but I don't know where I am making my mistake!

I would appreciate any assistance with this!
 
Last edited:
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Cylinder? h? You have to explain what you are talking about.
 
Borek said:
Cylinder? h? You have to explain what you are talking about.

I'm eventually going to find the enthalpy of vaporization of water. The pressure of the cylinder is what needs to be determined which is asked in the first question.

The value of h is given in the first question in parenthesis. I was able to calculate the cylinder pressure. I just needed help with my moles of air from the second question.
 
You have still not explained what the h is. I can do some guessing, but that would be a waste of time, as I don't know what is the setup, if the cylinder is rigid, or closed with a piston, why the pressure inside is different from atmospheric and so on. Basically I know nothing.
 

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