How Does Compression Affect Air Density in a Cylinder?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between compression and air density within a cylinder, specifically addressing a scenario where air is compressed from an initial pressure of 0.1 MPa to 0.5 MPa, with a given mass and volume of air.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the ideal gas law (PV=nRT) and its implications for density, questioning how changes in pressure and volume affect density. There is uncertainty about the application of the formulas and the meaning of each variable.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between pressure, volume, and density, suggesting that as volume decreases, density increases. However, there remains a lack of clarity on how to apply the formulas effectively, and no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the assumption that temperature remains constant throughout the compression process, which is a critical factor in their reasoning.

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Homework Statement


in a cylinder there is 30g of air which starts with a volume of 3L and pressure 0.1MPa. What will be the density of the air when the piston of the cylinder compresses the air to 0.5MPa ?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Where are you stuck?
PV=nRT, density=mass/volume.
 
I don't know where to start
 
I'm not really sure, but if we suppose the temperature don't change then the problem is easy.
You are told that the pressure increases by a factor 5. So what can you say about the volume?
Use the formulas I gave you. (are you familiar with them?)
 
yes the temperature stays constant. the volume will decrease so the density will increase? I'm not sure how to use the formulas what does each variable stand for?
 

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