Ideal Gases

1. May 29, 2012

fonz

If the product of pressure and volume over temperature is equal to some constant for a particular ideal gas.

Let's say the volume is just a vessel and the pressure in the vessel is increased. So effectively the volume remains the same. Any increase in pressure must be cancelled by an increase in temperature of the gas within the vessel is this correct? So by pressurising gas you are increasing the temperature?

Fundamentally is the relation between pressure and temperature this simple?

Thanks

2. May 29, 2012

Infinitum

Yes, $P \alpha T$ and it's called Amontons pressure-temperature law.

3. May 29, 2012

mrcotton

Hi,
and the converse is interesting, the rapid expansion of a gas causes the temperature to decrease. This is used in refrigeration and and freezing sprays. A way of making carbon dioxide in schools often involves the rapid expansion of a CO2 fire extinguisher into a suitable chamber.
Look up the Joule-Kelvin effect.
Dave

4. May 29, 2012

haruspex

How are you increasing the pressure? You're keeping the volume the same, and if you pump more gas in then PV/T will increase. It's not that temperature increases to 'cancel' the increase in pressure; it's that you will have to raise the temperature to make the pressure go up.

5. May 29, 2012

mrcotton

I got to thinking,
It is true that pressure and volume over temp is a constant.
PV=NkT
I like the fact that this equation of state tells us the relationship between the state variables, pressure, volume and temperature. All of which are measurable quantities, (for an ideal gas).
So if we rearrange and think of what determines the pressure of your system.
P=(NkT)/V
So the only three ways to increase the pressure are to (V) decrease the volume, (T) increase the temperature and (N) increase the number of molecules. In your fixed vessel you have kept the volume constant, so you could only increase the pressure by either increasing the temperature or increase the number of molecules into the vessel. I agree with haruspex the temperature does not increase to cancel the pressure, it’s more like once you set the volume and the temperature for a fixed mass of gas the pressure is uniquely determined. Changing any one of these variables will mean at least one of the other state variables must change to. Check out PVT surfaces, there ace.
Dave

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