Question

If `32 L` of a gas at room temperature exerts a pressure of `64 kPa` on its container, what pressure will the gas exert if the container's volume changes to `16 L`?

Answer 1

The Pressure will change to `128kPa`

Explanation:

To solve this problem we can use Boyle's Law comparing the Pressure and Volume relationships

`P_1V_1 = P_2V_2`

`P_1 = 64kPa`
`V_1 = 32L`
`P_2 = ?`
`V_2 = 16L`

`(64kPa)((32L) = P_2(16L)`

Use the multiplicative inverse to isolate the variable for `P_2`

`(64kPa)((32cancelL)/(16cancelL)) = P_2(cancel(16L))/(cancel(16L))`

#(64kPa)(2) = P_2

`128kPa = P_2`

More molecules in a small volume means more collisions and therefore more pressure.