chemistry A certain mass of nitrogen gas occupies a volume of 6.77 L at a pressure of 2.32 atm. At what pressure will the volume of this sample be 9.15 L?

Question

A certain mass of nitrogen gas occupies a volume of 6.77 L at a pressure of  2.32 atm. At what pressure will the volume of this sample be  9.15 L? Assume constant temperature and ideal behavior.

Answer 1

This is a Boyle's Law (P₁V₁ = P₂V₂) problem. To tackle this type of problem, I collect all the data (knowns and unknowns), and then it usually becomes obvious what equation will be needed to drive toward the answer.

V₁ = 6.77 L

P₁ = 2.32 atm

V₂ = 9.15 L

P₂ = ?

Begin with Boyle's Law: P₁V₁ = P₂V₂

Rearrange to solve for P₂: P₂ = P₁V₁ / V₂

Substitute values: P₂ = (2.32 atm)(6.77 L) / (9.15 L)

Calculate: P₂ = 1.72 atm