chemistry homework

Question

The pressure of a sample of argon gas was increased from 1.56 atm  to 6.40 atm  at constant temperature. If the final volume of the argon sample was 17.0L  what was the initial volume of the argon sample? Assume ideal behavior.

Answer 1

At constant temperature, you are dealing with Boyle's Law (look it up and read about it).

It can be written as P1V1 = P2V2

P1 = initial pressure = 1.56 atm

V1 = initial volume = ?

P2 = final pressure = 6.40 atm

V2 = final volume = 17.0 L

P1V1 = P2V2 and solving for V1 we have...

V1 = P2V2/P1 = (6.40 atm)(17.0 L) / 1.56 atm

V1 = 69.7 L (3 sig. figs.)

Answer 2

Use the ideal gas law pV = nRT

n,R,T are constant so pV = constant = 17 x 6.40 = 108.8

So you can find V when p = 1.56 now