An ideal gas is allowed to expand from 5.40 L to 35.1 L at constant temperature. By what factor does the volume increase?

Will the pressure increase or decrease by that same factor?

If the initial pressure was 143 atm, what is the final pressure?

a) 6.5

b) pressure decreases

c) 22 atm

Explanation:

Since the initial volume V1 is 5.40 L and the final volume V2 is 35.1 L, the ratio of V2:V1 = 35.1/5.40 = 6.5 hence the volume increases by a factor of 6.5.

When the volume increases, the pressure decreases accordingly in accordance with Boyle's law. Boyle's law states that the volume of a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure at constant temperature.

c) From Boyle's law

Initial volume V1 = 5.40 L

Final volume V2 = 35.1 L

Initial pressure P1 = 143 ATM

Final pressure P2 = the unknown

P1V1 = P2V2

P2 = P1V1/V2

P2 = 143 * 5.40 / 35.1

P2 = 22 atm