A gas occupies 1.58 liters its pressure is 5.2 atm and its temperature is 57.4°C. What would volume be if the pressure were decreased to 3.59 atm?

1 Answer
Oct 1, 2016

At constant #T#, pressure is inversely proportional to volume: this is Boyle's law.

Explanation:

Given #Pprop1/V#, #P_1V_1=P_2V_2#, and the great advantage of this proportionality is that we can use unorthodox units of pressure and volume, i.e. #"psi, pints, atmosphere, gallons"# so long as we are consistent.

We want #V_2# #=# #(P_1V_1)/P_2# #=# #(5.2*cancel(atm)xx1.58*L)/(3.59*cancel(atm))# #~=# #2*L?#

Note that the volume has INCREASED, as we would anticipate upon reduction of pressure.