Physical Science Math

Question

A volume of helium occupies 1.0 L at a pressure of 98.0 kPa. What is the new volume if the pressure drops to 86.2 kPa? Show work.

Answer 1

Hello Alyssa

 

To answer this question, you have to use Boyle's Law, which states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to the volume of the gas.

 

P ∝ 1/V

 

As the pressure increases, the volume will decrease and vice-versa.  As per your question, the pressure is decreasing, therefore, the volume will increase.

 

Inital pressure (P_i) = 98.0 kPa     Final Pressure (P_f) = 86.2 kPa

Initial Volume (V_i) = 1.0 L           Final Volume (V_f) = ? L

 

For initial and final states, Boyle's Law equation is written as:

 

P_i V_i = P_f V_f

 

Rearrange to solve for V_f

 

V_f = P_i V_i / V_f = 98.0 kPa x 1.0 L / 86.2 kPa = 1.1 L