What is the Total Pressure in a Cylinder Containing Nitrogen and Oxygen?

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The discussion revolves around two gas pressure calculation problems using the ideal gas law. In the first question, 5L of nitrogen at 100kPa and 5L of oxygen at 200kPa are combined in a 50L evacuated cylinder, resulting in a total pressure of 30kPa, contrary to the user's incorrect answer of 300kPa. The second question involves a 10L flask of nitrogen at 500mmHg connected to a 4L flask of oxygen at 800mmHg. Upon opening the tap, the final pressure is calculated to be 586mmHg, while the user mistakenly calculated it as 1300mmHg. The correct approach involves calculating the number of moles of each gas and applying the ideal gas law, demonstrating that the total pressure is derived from the combined contributions of both gases in the system.
ravadongon
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Question 1: 5L of nitrogen at 100kPa and 298K and 5L of oxygen at 200kPa are pumped into a evacuated 50L cylinder. Temperature remains constant, what is the total pressure in the cylinder?

Correct Answer: 30kPa
My answer: 300 kPa

Question 2: A 10L flask containing nitrogen at 500mmHg is connected via a closed tap to a 4L flask containing oxygen at 800mmHg pressure, if the tap is opened what will be the final pressure assuming temperature remains constant?

Answer: 586mmHg
My answer: 1300mmHg

Formulas I used:

pV = nRT (to find mols)
PA = (nA/nA+nB) x PT

How did they get these answers...cos I can't seem to get them..?? Any help would be appreciated...
 
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ravadongon said:
Question 1: 5L of nitrogen at 100kPa and 298K and 5L of oxygen at 200kPa are pumped into a evacuated 50L cylinder. Temperature remains constant, what is the total pressure in the cylinder?

Correct Answer: 30kPa
My answer: 300 kPa

Question 2: A 10L flask containing nitrogen at 500mmHg is connected via a closed tap to a 4L flask containing oxygen at 800mmHg pressure, if the tap is opened what will be the final pressure assuming temperature remains constant?

Answer: 586mmHg
My answer: 1300mmHg

Formulas I used:

pV = nRT (to find mols)
PA = (nA/nA+nB) x PT

How did they get these answers...cos I can't seem to get them..?? Any help would be appreciated...

What are the volumes given in the questions?
 
Bystander said:
What are the volumes given in the questions?

what do u mean? I gave the volumes... :confused:
 
ravadongon said:
Question 1: 5L of nitrogen at 100kPa and 298K and 5L of oxygen at 200kPa are pumped into a evacuated 50L cylinder. Temperature remains constant, what is the total pressure in the cylinder?

Correct Answer: 30kPa
My answer: 300 kPa

Question 2: A 10L flask containing nitrogen at 500mmHg is connected via a closed tap to a 4L flask containing oxygen at 800mmHg pressure, if the tap is opened what will be the final pressure assuming temperature remains constant?

Answer: 586mmHg
My answer: 1300mmHg

Formulas I used:

pV = nRT (to find mols)
PA = (nA/nA+nB) x PT

How did they get these answers...cos I can't seem to get them..?? Any help would be appreciated...

So what is it exactly that you are having a hard time with? Let's go through #2:

n_A = \frac{P_AV_A}{RT} = \frac{(500 mm Hg)(10 L)}{RT}

and for the other flask:

n_B = \frac{P_BV_B}{RT} = \frac{(800 mm Hg)(4 L)}{RT}

so when the valve is opened, the total # of molecules of gas in the system will be:

n = n_A + n_B

so let's use the ideal gas law for the whole system:

P_{A+B} = \frac{(n_A + n_B)(RT)}{V_{A+B}} = \frac{(500 mm Hg)(10 L) + (800 mm Hg)(4 L)}{RT} \frac{(RT)}{V_{A+B}}{

notice that RT drops out completely, and we are left with:

P_{A+B} = \frac{(500 mm Hg)(10 L) + (800 mm HG)(4 L)}{14 L} = 586 mm Hg

go forth and do likewise..
 
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