Can Temperature Alone Affect the Volume of Air in a Room?

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Temperature can affect the volume of air in a room, and the ideal gas law (PV=NRT) is relevant for understanding this relationship, specifically when using absolute temperature in Kelvin. The discussion revolves around determining the temperature required to expand air volume by a factor of 1.05, with some confusion about whether to redefine the problem in terms of volume change or the number of molecules. Clarifications emphasize that while volume and the number of molecules are proportional under constant conditions, temperature is variable in this scenario. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining clarity in homework discussions and the need for careful consideration of the problem's parameters. Understanding these relationships is crucial for accurately applying the ideal gas law.
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Homework Statement
The air pressure in the room is 10 ^ 5 pascals, the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. To what temperature should the air be heated so that 5% of the molecules leave the room?
Relevant Equations
p=nkT
maybe the temperature need to be changed from Celsius to Kelvin
 
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Well, yes, that formula applies to absolute temperature. Can you make an attempt to solve this yourself?
 
Is this a well defined question? How does the air escape the room?
 
valenumr said:
Is this a well defined question? How does the air escape the room?
Through a pressure valve, of course!
 
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PeroK said:
Through a pressure valve, of course!
I think the gist is what temperature is required to expand the volume by 1.05. it should be straight forward, but really terrible question.
 
Anyway, I'd use the ideal gas law, pv=Nrt. Only temperature and volume change. I don't think temperature units much matter.
 
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valenumr said:
I think the gist is what temperature is required to expand the volume by 1.05. it should be straight forward, but really terrible question.
maybe your thoughts are correct, but this task looks in the same record that I described to you, but in my native language. but thank u
 
PV=NRT applies ONLY with T in Kelvin.
 
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Gordianus said:
PV=NRT applies ONLY with T in Kelvin.
ok, thank you
 
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  • #10
PeroK said:
Well, yes, that formula applies to absolute temperature. Can you make an attempt to solve this yourself?
yup, i try again. thank u
 
  • #11
valenumr said:
Anyway, I'd use the ideal gas law, pv=Nrt. Only temperature and volume change. I don't think temperature units much matter.
Lord Kelvin would be turning in his grave!
 
  • #12
Gordianus said:
PV=NRT applies ONLY with T in Kelvin.
But why does it matter. If v scales by 1.05, so would t. I have to think about that for a minute,but I think it is linear.
 
  • #13
valenumr said:
But why does it matter. If v scales by 1.05, so would t. I have to think about that for a minute,but I think it is linear.
Technically the scale itself doesn't matter as long as you adjust the relevant constant(s), but the scale must start from ##0##.
 
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  • #14
valenumr said:
But why does it matter. If v scales by 1.05, so would t. I have to think about that for a minute,but I think it is linear.
Okay, I thought about it 😉
 
  • #15
Gordianus said:
PV=NRT applies ONLY with T in Kelvin.
No. It only applies when T is an absolute temperature. Whether Kelvin or some other absolute temperature scale is used is irrelevant.

valenumr said:
I think the gist is what temperature is required to expand the volume by 1.05.
No, this is incorrect. (Although pretty close ...)
 
  • #16
Orodruin said:
No. It only applies when T is an absolute temperature. Whether Kelvin or some other absolute temperature scale is used is irrelevant.No, this is incorrect. (Although pretty close ...)
I would appreciate some clarification on that note, the second part..
 
  • #17
valenumr said:
I would appreciate some clarification on that note, the second part..
Oh, do you mean 1/.95 vs 1.05?
 
  • #18
valenumr said:
I would appreciate some clarification on that note, the second part..
Keep in mind that these are the homework forums. The problem should not be solved by others before the OP has gotten it right.
 
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  • #19
valenumr said:
Oh, do you mean 1/.95 vs 1.05?
The problem tells you to fix ##V## and reduce ##N## to ##0.95N##. Why would you want to redefine the problem as a change in volume? And, if you do, you better check you have the correct change in volume.
 
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  • #20
PeroK said:
The problem tells you to fix ##V## and reduce ##N## to ##0.95N##. Why would you want to redefine the problem as a change in volume? And, if you do, you better check you have the correct change in volume.
Does it? I see how that is different from what I was thinking, but the question is a bit ambiguous. But I get what you are saying. It is t percent of the "molecules".
 
  • #21
Orodruin said:
Keep in mind that these are the homework forums. The problem should not be solved by others before the OP has gotten it right.
I apologize if I was being too direct.
 
  • #22
PeroK said:
The problem tells you to fix ##V## and reduce ##N## to ##0.95N##. Why would you want to redefine the problem as a change in volume? And, if you do, you better check you have the correct change in volume.
Oh shoot, it's late for me right now, or early if you like. I was thinking v and n were proportional, so it shouldn't matter.
 
  • #23
valenumr said:
Oh shoot, it's late for me right now, or early if you like. I was thinking v and n were proportional, so it shouldn't matter.
It does matter.

Yes, ##V## and ##n## are proportional -- if all other things (##P##, ##R## and ##T##) are held constant. But ##T## is not being held constant. We are varying it.

In this case it is ##V##, ##P## and ##R## that are constants. Can you see why?

This means that the relevant relationship is between ##n## and ##T##.
 
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  • #24
jbriggs444 said:
It does matter.

Yes, ##V## and ##n## are proportional -- if all other things (##P##, ##R## and ##T##) are held constant. But ##T## is not being held constant. We are varying it.

In this case it is ##V##, ##P## and ##R## that are constants. Can you see why?

This means that the relevant relationship is between ##n## and ##T##.
Yeah, it was late and I probably shouldn't have been answering homework topics. I got the answer roundabout, but I see that perok suggestion of a pressure valve, even in perhaps jest, is the right way to think about it.
 
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