What would be a real-life example of the ideal gas law?

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SUMMARY

The ideal gas law, represented by the equation PV = nRT, is exemplified in the mechanics of an airbag. During deployment, airbags inflate with nitrogen gas produced from the reaction of sodium azide and sodium metal. This reaction is crucial as it generates sufficient gas to inflate the airbag without overfilling, ensuring passenger safety during a car crash. The discussion highlights the practical application of the ideal gas law in everyday life, particularly in automotive safety systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law (PV = nRT)
  • Basic knowledge of chemical reactions involving sodium azide
  • Familiarity with automotive safety mechanisms
  • Knowledge of gas properties and behavior under pressure
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the chemical reaction of sodium azide in airbags
  • Explore the physics of gas expansion and pressure in confined spaces
  • Learn about automotive safety standards and airbag deployment mechanisms
  • Investigate other real-life applications of the ideal gas law
USEFUL FOR

Students studying chemistry and physics, automotive engineers, safety system designers, and anyone interested in the practical applications of gas laws in real-world scenarios.

Lolaamaigatti04
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Homework Statement


What is a real-life example of the ideal gas law?

Homework Equations


PV = nRT
(Pressure x volume = number of moles x the gas constant x temperature in Kelvin)

The Attempt at a Solution


https://www.reference.com/science/ideal-gas-law-used-everyday-life-3dacbd6ebd3b5949
Mechanics of an airbag. As airbag expands, they fill with the right kinds of gases and inflates properly and are filled with nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas is produced by a reaction with sodium azide, this reaction causes nitrogen gas and sodium metal. While nitrogen is filling the airbag, sodium metal is reacting with potassium nitrate, and this reaction neutralizes the sodium. This helps because it makes enough gas so the airbag doesn't overfill, but does inflate (enough). As we know, the airbag protects the passenger's head in the event of a car crash.
 
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Is there a question here?
 
Lolaamaigatti04 said:

Homework Statement


What is a real-life example of the ideal gas law?

Homework Equations


PV = nRT
(Pressure x volume = number of moles x the gas constant x temperature in Kelvin)

The Attempt at a Solution


https://www.reference.com/science/ideal-gas-law-used-everyday-life-3dacbd6ebd3b5949
Mechanics of an airbag. As airbag expands, they fill with the right kinds of gases and inflates properly and are filled with nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas is produced by a reaction with sodium azide, this reaction causes nitrogen gas and sodium metal. While nitrogen is filling the airbag, sodium metal is reacting with potassium nitrate, and this reaction neutralizes the sodium. This helps because it makes enough gas so the airbag doesn't overfill, but does inflate (enough). As we know, the airbag protects the passenger's head in the event of a car crash.
Hello @Lolaamaigatti04 !
:welcome:
(By the way: There's no subscript needed for the n in the ideal gas Law equation: PV = nRT .)

You appear to have quoted an excerpt from a Web site called "Reference". That's kind of a strange name for this site considering I could not find any references for the sources of the few articles I looked at there. No author listed for the one you quote nor from one other I looked at. Here's an image from the first part of the article - a part you didn't quote from.
upload_2019-1-24_15-49-23.png
 

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Thanks for the tip! (about the subscript) Yes, that is a strange name. Also, I didn't directly quote the passage. :sorry:
 

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