Description
If the pressure on a gas sample is halved what will happen to the volume?
it will double
it will be halved
it will decrease by a small amount
it will increase by a small amount
Explanation & Answer
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Answer: it will be doubled
You can use the ideal gas law equation for this problem:
PV=nRT
P:Pressure, V:Volume, n:number of moles, R:gas constant, T:temperature
First write the halved pressure:
(1/2)PV=nRT
To adjust for the pressure change, the volume will change as well. You have to figure what value will keep the equation them same. By doubling the volume (multiplying by 2), the '2's will cancel out on the left-hand side of the equation, bringing the balance back to the equation.
(1/2)P*2V=nRT The '2's cancel out.
PV=nRT
Another way to look at it:
(1/2)*x=1 '1' because we want to keep the equation constant. 'x' is the value that is multiplied by volume.
x=2
Volume is doubled
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