A gas with a volume of 4.0 L at a pressure of 205 kPa is allowed to expand to a volume of 12.0 L. What is the pressure in the container if the temperature remains constant?

1 Answer
Apr 1, 2017

We use old "Boyle's Law"Boyle's Law, PV=k,PV=k, where kk is a "constant"constant.

Explanation:

And the utility of this law means that we could use non-standard units, if our units are consistent.

Given that PV=k,PV=k, (temperature constant), it follows that...........

P_1V_1=P_2V_2P1V1=P2V2..........

We solve for P_2=(P_1V_1)/(V_2)=(205*kPaxx4.0*cancelL)/(12.0*cancelL)

~=68*kPa

The pressure has reasonably decreased............Why "reasonably?" And given consistent units, I could use "pints", "foot lbs", "atmospheres" whatever...........