Calculating Air Pressure: Ideal Gas Law Homework Solution

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on calculating air pressure using the Ideal Gas Law, specifically addressing three key problems involving cylinder pressure, moles of air, and high-temperature pressure readings. The calculations provided include a cylinder pressure of 768 mm Hg, moles of air calculated as 1.448×10-4 mol, and a high-temperature pressure estimate of 480+ mm Hg. The user seeks clarification on the use of volume in the third question and expresses confusion regarding the variable 'h' and the setup of the cylinder.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT)
  • Knowledge of unit conversions (e.g., mL to L, Celsius to Kelvin)
  • Familiarity with pressure measurements (mmHg, barometric pressure)
  • Basic concepts of thermodynamics (enthalpy of vaporization)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Ideal Gas Law applications in real-world scenarios
  • Learn about pressure corrections in gas calculations
  • Study the relationship between temperature and pressure in gases
  • Explore the concept of enthalpy and its calculations in thermodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students studying chemistry or physics, particularly those tackling gas law problems, as well as educators and tutors assisting with Ideal Gas Law applications.

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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