A sample of nitrogen gas that occupies 4.5 liters at 38 °C is heated to 59 °C. The new volume of the gas is ___ liters.

Question

A sample of nitrogen gas that occupies 4.5 liters at 38 °C is heated to 59 °C. The new volume of the gas is ___ liters. 

Answer 1

Given:

V1 = initial volume = 4.5 L

T1 = initial temperature = 38ºC + 273 = 311K

T2 = final temperature = 59ºC + 273 = 332K

Asked for:

V2 = final volume = ?

From the combined gas law, P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2, we can solve this problem assuming the pressure remains constant. This then becomes Charles' Law: V1/T1 = V2/T2. Substituting our values, we have...

4.5 L / 311K = V2 / 332 and solving for V2, we have ...

V2 = 4.8 liters