Is Gas Pressure in a Weightless Environment Mainly Due to Particle Collisions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of gas pressure in weightless environments, specifically whether it is primarily due to particle collisions or the weight of gas above a point. Participants explore the implications of gas behavior in both gravitational and non-gravitational fields, as well as the differences between gases and liquids in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether gas pressure is mainly due to particle collisions rather than the weight of gas above a point.
  • There are inquiries about the atmospheric pressure at different altitudes, specifically at sea level and 5 miles up.
  • One participant asserts that pressure is exclusively due to particle collisions, suggesting that the weight of gas above only affects the frequency of these collisions by altering particle density.
  • Another participant raises a point about gas pressure in a balloon in a non-gravitational field, questioning if it remains similar to that in a gravitational field, contrasting this with liquid behavior.
  • Responses indicate confusion or a need for clarification regarding the implications of pressure in different environments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the primary causes of gas pressure, with some asserting particle collisions as the main factor while others question this perspective. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the assumptions underlying their claims, particularly regarding the definitions of pressure in different states of matter and the effects of gravity. There are also unresolved questions about the specific conditions under which gas behavior changes.

Sultanphys
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Is the pressure of gas at any point within mostly due to particles collisions rather than weight of gas above point considered?
 
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Sultanphys said:
Is the pressure of gas at any point within mostly due to particles collisions rather than weight of gas above point considered?
What is the atmospheric pressure at sea level ? What is the atmospheric pressure at 5 miles up ? What is the difference between "due to particle collisions" and "due to weight of gas above" ?
 
Sultanphys said:
Is the pressure of gas at any point within mostly due to particles collisions rather than weight of gas above point considered?
The pressure is always exclusively due to particle collisions. The weight of the gas above only changes the frequency of particle collisions, by changing the number of particles per unit volume.
 
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So for a gas confined in a balloon in non gravitational field the pressure of the gas at any point will not change considerably than in case if in gravity field,while this is not the case in liquids ,is this right?
 
Sultanphys said:
So for a gas confined in a balloon in non gravitational field the pressure of the gas at any point will not change considerably than in case if in gravity field,while this is not the case in liquids ,is this right?
Huh?
 
Sultanphys said:
So for a gas confined in a balloon in non gravitational field the pressure of the gas at any point will not change considerably than in case if in gravity field,while this is not the case in liquids ,is this right?
Huh?
 

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