Pressure Equalization of X & Y Gas Bottles

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the new pressure after opening a valve between two gas bottles containing hydrogen at different pressures. Initially, bottle X has a volume of 2V and pressure p, while bottle Y has a volume of V and pressure 2p. Upon opening the valve, the total volume becomes 3V, and the total number of moles of gas is calculated to be 4PV/RT. The correct new pressure is derived to be 4/3 p, confirming the initial analysis, while an alternative approach using Boyle's law incorrectly suggested a new pressure of 2p/3. The consensus is that the initial and final number of moles must remain equal for the system at constant temperature.
zanyzoya
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Homework Statement


X and Y are two gas bottles that are connected by a tube that has negligible volume compared with the volume of each bottle. There is a valve in the tube that is initially closed. X has a volume of 2V and contains hydrogen at a pressure of p, Y has a volume V and contains hydrogen at a pressure of 2p. X and Y are initially at the same temperature. The valve between the two bottles is now opened, Assuming that there is no change in temperature, what is the new gas pressure?

Homework Equations


pV=nRT

The Attempt at a Solution


rearranging R = pV/nT so
(PxVx)/(Tx nx) = (PyVy)/(Ty ny)
T's cancel so
(PxVx)/nx = (pY Vy)/ny
Vx = 2Vy and Px = 1/2 Py so...
1/2Py x 2Vy / nx = Py Vy / ny
PyVy/nx = PyVy/ny
hence nx = ny

therefore PxVx/Tx = PyVy/Ty
temperatures cancel so
PxVx = PyVy
Vx = 2Vy and Px = 1/2 Py so...
1/2 Pyx 2Vy = PyVy
PyVy = Py Vy ?!?
 

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You want to use the gas law, apparently before and after opening. How does that show in your working ?
 
If T is the temperature, how many moles are present in each container to begin with (in terms of p, V, and T)?
 
Chestermiller said:
If T is the temperature, how many moles are present in each container to begin with (in terms of p, V, and T)?
2PV/RT moles in each container. Therefore a total number of 4PV/RT moles in the system.
Hence After opening
3P2= 4P
I.e. P2= 4/3 P
Am I right?
 
zanyzoya said:
2PV/RT moles in each container. Therefore a total number of 4PV/RT moles in the system.
Hence After opening
3P2= 4P
I.e. P2= 4/3 P
Am I right?
You know you are.
 
Thanks for the help
 
Just got a question about this question . I'm using Boyle's law for this but am getting the new pressure as 2p/3 ?

Both bottles are at the same temperature and so will both have same constants of 2Vp.
So once the valve is opened total volume is now 3V however there is no change in temperature so boyle's constant will be the same . Equating this with P being new pressure : 3VP=2Vp ... P=2p/3 ? Is my theory wrong here?
 
Falcon99 said:
Just got a question about this question . I'm using Boyle's law for this but am getting the new pressure as 2p/3 ?

Both bottles are at the same temperature and so will both have same constants of 2Vp.
So once the valve is opened total volume is now 3V however there is no change in temperature so boyle's constant will be the same . Equating this with P being new pressure : 3VP=2Vp ... P=2p/3 ? Is my theory wrong here?
This is not correct. The OP analyzed the problem correctly in post #4. What made you think you could use Boyle's law on this?
 
Chestermiller said:
This is not correct. The OP analyzed the problem correctly in post #4. What made you think you could use Boyle's law on this?
Becuase bottle X:p,2V . Y:2p, V . Both x and y at same temperature , so constant for both is 2Vp . When valve opened new volume is 3V but the constant stays the same because temperature stays the same no ?
 
  • #10
The "constant" is proportional to the number of moles (as in PV = nRT). 1 mole of gas will not have the same value of PV as 10 moles.
 
  • #11
Falcon99 said:
Becuase bottle X:p,2V . Y:2p, V . Both x and y at same temperature , so constant for both is 2Vp . When valve opened new volume is 3V but the constant stays the same because temperature stays the same no ?
Initial number of moles = ##\frac{p(2V)}{RT}+\frac{(2p)V}{RT}=\frac{4pV}{RT}##

Final number of moles = ##\frac{P(3V)}{RT}##

Initial number of moles = Final number of moles
 
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