Ideal gas law - isovolumetric problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an isovolumetric problem involving the ideal gas law. A gas sample in a rigid container is heated, and participants are tasked with determining the new pressure in terms of the initial pressure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between pressure and temperature under constant volume conditions, questioning how to express the new pressure in terms of the initial pressure. Some suggest using ratios derived from the ideal gas law.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided guidance on using ratios to relate pressures and temperatures. There is acknowledgment of a minor numerical error in one participant's calculations, which has been addressed through further discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of using correct temperature conversions and maintaining consistency in variables throughout the calculations.

portofino
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Homework Statement



A gas sample enclosed in a rigid metal container at room temperature (20 C) has an absolute pressure p_1. The container is immersed in hot water until it warms to 40 C. What is the new absolute pressure p_2?

Express your answer in terms of p_1

Homework Equations



PV = nRT where P is pressure in pascals, V is volume, n is the number of moles, R is constant = 8.314, T is temperature in kelvin

convert celsius to kelvin
K=C+273.15 where K is temp in kelvin, and C is temp in celsius

The Attempt at a Solution



since this problem is isovolumetric, the volume remains constant.

p_1 = nRT_1/V where T_1 = 20C = 293 K assuming n,R,V are constant

p_2 = nRT_2/V where T_2 = 40C = 313 K assuming n, R, V are constant

how do i put p_2 in terms of p_1, do i just solve p_1 in terms of say V and substitute it in for V in the p_2 equation?

doing so i get:

V =nRT_1/p_1 = 293/p_1 asuming n and R are constant

thus substituting V for V in the p_2 equation i get:

p_2 = nRT_2/V = 313/(292/p_1) = 313p_1/292

is that correct? I'm almost certain it is not correct.
 
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portofino said:

Homework Statement



A gas sample enclosed in a rigid metal container at room temperature (20 C) has an absolute pressure p_1. The container is immersed in hot water until it warms to 40 C. What is the new absolute pressure p_2?

Express your answer in terms of p_1

Homework Equations



PV = nRT where P is pressure in pascals, V is volume, n is the number of moles, R is constant = 8.314, T is temperature in kelvin

convert celsius to kelvin
K=C+273.15 where K is temp in kelvin, and C is temp in celsius

The Attempt at a Solution



since this problem is isovolumetric, the volume remains constant.

p_1 = nRT_1/V where T_1 = 20C = 293 K assuming n,R,V are constant

p_2 = nRT_2/V where T_2 = 40C = 313 K assuming n, R, V are constant

how do i put p_2 in terms of p_1, do i just solve p_1 in terms of say V and substitute it in for V in the p_2 equation?

doing so i get:

V =nRT_1/p_1 = 293/p_1 asuming n and R are constant

thus substituting V for V in the p_2 equation i get:

p_2 = nRT_2/V = 313/(292/p_1) = 313p_1/292

is that correct? I'm almost certain it is not correct.

That looks right. For such a question though - where you have an isobaric or isothermal you can just use the simple ratio. (You can always divide an equation by an equation.)

[tex]\frac{P_1V_1}{P_2V_2} = \frac{nrT_1}{nrT_2}[/tex]

In your case it Volume stays the same n the same and r the same so:

[tex]\frac{P_1}{P_2} = \frac{T_1}{T_2} = \frac{293}{313}[/tex]
 
Another way to set it up, and which may be easier to remember, is to solve the ideal gas equation for R:

[tex] R = \frac{P_1 V_1}{n_1 T_1} = \frac{P_2 V_2}{n_2 T_2}[/tex]

or in other words

[tex] \frac{P_1 V_1}{n_1 T_1} = \frac{P_2 V_2}{n_2 T_2}[/tex]

Then you cancel all the quantities that are equal (in this case V and n) and go from there.
 
the thing is when tried (313p_1)/292, it was incorrect and it stated that "your answer either contains an incorrect numerical multiplier or is missing one."

noticed how i entered the denominator as 292 as opposed to 293, would that be the reason why it is incorrect?
 
It is incorrect by a very small amount, 0.3%. Why don't you try with the correct numbers and see what happens? Also, you could try dividing 313/293 on a calculator, and use that number times p_1.
 
yes i tried it with 293 as the denominator. it was correct

thanks for your help
 

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