Calculating Number Density of Gas Molecules

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 3K views
Chase11
Messages
34
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


What is the number density, N/V, of gas molecules in the closed vessel in the previous problem?

(Previous problem: A closed vessel contains an ideal gas at an absolute pressure of 1.5 atm and a termperature of 42 degrees celsius. To what final temperature (in °C) must the gas be heated so its final pressure is 2.0 atm?


Homework Equations



pV=N[itex]k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}[/itex]T

The Attempt at a Solution


From the previous problem I have p=2.0 atm, T=420K and reorganizing the equation I get N/V=p/[itex]k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}[/itex]T

so N/V=2.0atm/[itex]k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}[/itex](420K) = 3.45x10^20. The answer is supposed to be 3.5x10^25. I cannot figure out why I am getting the wrong answer, can anybody shed some light on this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Chase11 said:

Homework Statement


What is the number density, N/V, of gas molecules in the closed vessel in the previous problem?

(Previous problem: A closed vessel contains an ideal gas at an absolute pressure of 1.5 atm and a termperature of 42 degrees celsius. To what final temperature (in °C) must the gas be heated so its final pressure is 2.0 atm?


Homework Equations



pV=N[itex]k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}[/itex]T

The Attempt at a Solution


From the previous problem I have p=2.0 atm, T=420K and reorganizing the equation I get N/V=p/[itex]k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}[/itex]T

so N/V=2.0atm/[itex]k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}[/itex](420K) = 3.45x10^20. The answer is supposed to be 3.5x10^25. I cannot figure out why I am getting the wrong answer, can anybody shed some light on this?
At the initial conditions, I get a molar density of 0.0581 moles/liter. Multiplying this by avagodro's number, I get 3.5 x 1022 molecules/liter. Per cubic meter, this is 3.5 x 1025 molecules. The same result is obtained at the final conditions.

Chet