If the pressure on a gas sample is halved what will happen to the volume?

User Generated

royrvtu

Science

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

User generated content is uploaded by users for the purposes of learning and should be used following Studypool's honor code & terms of service.

Explanation & Answer

Thank you for the opportunity to help you with your question!

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

Please let me know if you need any clarification. I'm always happy to answer your questions.


Anonymous
Super useful! Studypool never disappoints.

Studypool
4.7
Trustpilot
4.5
Sitejabber
4.4

Related Tags