A 3.0 L container holds a sample of oxygen gas at 1.5 atm pressure. If the pressure increases to 2.0 atm and the temperature remains constant, what is the new volume of the container

Question

A 3.0 L container holds a sample of oxygen gas at 1.5 atm pressure. If the pressure increases to 2.0 atm and

the temperature remains constant, what is the new volume of the container

Answer 1

Constant temperature (see Boyles Law):

P1V1 = P2V2

P1 = initial pressure = 1.5 atm

V1 = initial volume = 3.0 L

P2 = final pressure = 2.0 atm

V2 = final pressure = ?

Since the pressure is increasing from 1.5 atm to 2.0 atm, and the temperature is constant, we should expect the volume to DECREASE.

P1V1 = P1V2

(1.5 atm)(3.0 L) = (2.0 atm)(V2)

V2 = 1.5 atm)(3.0 L) / (2.0 atm)

V2 = 2.25 L