Question

A gas occupies 1.58 liters its pressure is 5.2 atm and its temperature is 57.4°C. What would volume be if the pressure were decreased to 3.59 atm?

Answer 1

At constant `T`, pressure is inversely proportional to volume: this is Boyle's law.

Explanation:

Given `Pprop1/V`, `P_1V_1=P_2V_2`, and the great advantage of this proportionality is that we can use unorthodox units of pressure and volume, i.e. `"psi, pints, atmosphere, gallons"` so long as we are consistent.

We want `V_2` `=` `(P_1V_1)/P_2` `=` `(5.2*cancel(atm)xx1.58*L)/(3.59*cancel(atm))` `~=` `2*L?`

Note that the volume has INCREASED, as we would anticipate upon reduction of pressure.