How to Calculate Gas Usage in Pressure Drop Situation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating gas usage in a pressure drop scenario within a welder's oxygen tank, where the pressure decreases from 150 atm to 120 atm. Participants are exploring the implications of the ideal gas law under the assumption of isothermal conditions and the constraints of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the ideal gas law and its variables, questioning which remain constant and how the volume of the tank affects the calculations. There is an exploration of the implications of temperature on the gas behavior during the pressure drop.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the assumptions regarding the volume of the tank and the treatment of temperature, suggesting that the tank is not elastic and may be at room temperature. However, there is still uncertainty regarding the necessity of temperature values for a complete solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of information regarding the temperatures before and after the pressure drop, which complicates the application of the ideal gas law. The assumption that the tank is not insulated is also discussed, impacting the temperature considerations.

prehisto
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Homework Statement


Pressure drops in welders tank of oxygen gas from p1=150atm to p2=120atm .
How much of the gas will be used ?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


In my mind the simplest way of looking at this problem is to consider the process isothermal.
But then the volume of the gas increases when pressure drops (Ideal gas law). This contradicts the question.

Since I do not know the temperatures before and after, I don't know what to do. I am looking for different view at this problem, some help?
 
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If you want to treat the gas as an ideal gas then state the ideal gas law.
Looking at the law, which of the variables is constant and which variable? List them.
i.e. does the volume of the tank change?
 
Volume of the gas does not change if the tank is not elastic (I think not in this question) since the gas will always fill the whole tank.
 
Simon Bridge said:
If you want to treat the gas as an ideal gas then state the ideal gas law.
Looking at the law, which of the variables is constant and which variable? List them.
i.e. does the volume of the tank change?
Guneykan Ozgul said:
Volume of the gas does not change if the tank is not elastic (I think not in this question) since the gas will always fill the whole tank.

OK, I Think it is logical to assume that Volume of tank does not change. Now I can rethink my solution.
##P_1V=n_1RT_1## and ##P_2V=n_2RT_2##
## \frac {n_1RT_1} {P_1} = \frac {n_2RT_2} {P_2}##
## \frac {n_2} {n_1}=\frac {T_2P_1} {T_1P_2}##

But It seems that I need the temperature before and after, which i do not have. And to assume that T=const seems to be to only way, but it also seems not logical.
 
prehisto said:
OK, I Think it is logical to assume that Volume of tank does not change. Now I can rethink my solution.
##P_1V=n_1RT_1## and ##P_2V=n_2RT_2##
## \frac {n_1RT_1} {P_1} = \frac {n_2RT_2} {P_2}##
## \frac {n_2} {n_1}=\frac {T_2P_1} {T_1P_2}##

But It seems that I need the temperature before and after, which i do not have. And to assume that T=const seems to be to only way, but it also seems not logical.
You're supposed to assume that the tank is not insulated, so that the final and initial temperatures are equal to room temperature.
 
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