Word problem

Question

A gas currently has a pressure of 17 atm, a volume of 96 L, and a temperature of 284 K. If its initial pressure was 16 atm and initial volume was 84 L, what was the initial temperature?

Answer 1

P₁V_{1     =}    P₂V₂       Temperatures must always be used in Kelvin so that T is never negative or zero. Always substitute in 

 T₁              T₂            numbers before rearranging the variables to solve the equation to avoid errors.

 

17 atm x 96 L      =     16 atm x 84 L      (Cross multiply, and divide both sides by 17 atm x 96 L)

   284 K                             T

 

T  =  16 atm x 84 L x 284 K

         17 atm x 96 L

 

T = 233.88 K  which should be rounded to 2 significant figures since that is the least number you have in the calculation.

 

T = 230 K