Question

A sample of an ideal gas is stored at 21 degrees Celsius. To what temperature would it have to be heated to double the volume of the gas?

Answer 1

Doubling the Kelvin temperature will double the volume of an ideal gas. In Celsius, this means the temperature would have to be increased to 315°.

Explanation:

The answer is based on the idea that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature (that is, if you double the temperature, the volume will be doubled as a result). However, for this to be true, the temperature must be in the Kelvin scale.

To convert Celsius to Kelvin, you simply add 273 to the Celsius reading. So, 21°C becomes 294 K.

If you double the Kelvin temperature, it becomes 588 K. Convert this to Celsius, and the result is 315°C.