AP Physics 2 : Ideal Gas Law

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 2

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Example Questions

Example Question #311 : Ap Physics 2

A sealed container with an adjustable volume goes from \displaystyle 1\textup{ L} to \displaystyle .333\textup{ L}. If the initial pressure was \displaystyle 785 \textup{ Torr}\displaystyle 785 \textup{ torr}, what will be the final pressure, assuming temperature stays constant?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle P_f=1490\textup{ Torr}

None of these

\displaystyle P_f=1888\textup{ Torr}

\displaystyle P_f=2357\textup{ Torr}

\displaystyle P_f=1771\textup{ Torr}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle P_f=2357\textup{ Torr}

Explanation:

Using

\displaystyle P_iV_i=P_fV_f

Solving for \displaystyle P_f

\displaystyle \frac{P_iV_i}{V_f}=P_f

Plugging in values

\displaystyle \frac{785*1}{.333}=P_f

\displaystyle P_f=2357\textup{ Torr}

Example Question #311 : Ap Physics 2

How many oxygen molecules are there in a \displaystyle 5\textup{L} tank at \displaystyle 16\ ^\circ\textup{C} and \displaystyle 200\textup{ atm}?

\displaystyle \textup{R}=0.0821\ \frac{\textup{L}\cdot \textup{atm}}{\textup{mol}\cdot \textup{K}}

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 3.40*10^{25}\textup{ molecules}

\displaystyle 3.10*10^{25}\textup{ molecules}

\displaystyle 2.54*10^{25}\textup{ molecules}

\displaystyle 1.52*10^{25}\textup{ molecules}

None of these

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 2.54*10^{25}\textup{ molecules}

Explanation:

Using ideal gas law:

\displaystyle PV=nRT

Converting Celsius to Kelvin and plugging in values:

\displaystyle 200*5=n*.0821*289

\displaystyle n=42moles

\displaystyle 42moles*\frac{6.02*10^{23}molecules}{1 mole}=2.54*10^{25}molecules

Example Question #21 : Ideal Gas Law

By what factor does the volume of an ideal gas change if its temperature increases by 50% and pressure quadruples?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 1

\displaystyle 2.67

\displaystyle 0.375

\displaystyle 2

\displaystyle 0.5

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 0.375

Explanation:

We will use the ideal gas law to solve this problem:

\displaystyle PV = nRT

We are asked to find the change in volume, so let's rearrange for that:

\displaystyle V = \frac{nRT}{P}

Then applying this to the initial and final scenarios:

\displaystyle V_1 = \frac{nRT_1}{P_1}

\displaystyle V_2 = \frac{nRT_2}{P_2}

Then taking the ratio of scenario 2 to scenario 1:

\displaystyle \frac{V_2}{V_1}= \frac{\frac{nrT_2}{P_2}}{\frac{nrT_1}{P_1}} = \frac{T_2P_1}{T_1P_2}

Where:

\displaystyle T_2 = 1.5T_1

\displaystyle P_2 = 4P_1

Substituting these in, we get:

\displaystyle \frac{V_2}{V_1}=\frac{1.5T_1P_1}{T_14P_1} = \frac{1.5}{4} = 0.375

Example Question #21 : Ideal Gas Law

A mixture of gas has a volume of \displaystyle 40\textup{ L}, a pressure of \displaystyle 2.3\textup{ atm}, and is at a temperature of \displaystyle 40\ ^{\circ}C. If the gas mixture is 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, how many moles of nitrogen are there?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 3.6\textup{ mol}

\displaystyle 2.9\textup{ mol}

\displaystyle 0.81\textup{ mol}

\displaystyle 2.1\textup{ mol}

\displaystyle 1.4\textup{ mol}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 2.9\textup{ mol}

Explanation:

We will begin with the ideal gas law for this problem:

\displaystyle PV = nRT

Then rearranging for total moles:

\displaystyle n = \frac{PV}{RT}

\displaystyle n = \frac{(2.3atm)(40L)}{\left ( 8.314\frac{J}{k\cdot mol}\right )(313K)}\left ( \frac{101325Pa}{atm}\right )\left ( \frac{1m^3}{1000L}\right )

\displaystyle n = 3.58 mol

Then multiplying by 80% to get the number of moles of nitrogen:

\displaystyle n_{nitrogen}=0.80n = 0.80(3.58)

\displaystyle n_{nitrogen} = 2.9 mol

Example Question #61 : Thermodynamics

In a \displaystyle 15\ \textup{L} rigid, sealed container, there is 1 mole of an ideal gas. The container is initially at \displaystyle 25^\circ \textup{C}. If the gas is heated to \displaystyle 50^\circ\textup{C}, what is the new pressure in the container?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 1.631 \textup{ atm}

\displaystyle 1.122 \textup{ atm}

\displaystyle 1.768 \textup{ atm}

\displaystyle 1.431 \textup{ atm}

\displaystyle 2.451 \textup{ atm}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 1.768 \textup{ atm}

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we must do several steps with the ideal gas law:

\displaystyle PV=nRT

For this problem, the pressure and temperature are the only things to change. Therefore, we can rearrange the equation to account for this.

\displaystyle \frac{P_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2}{T_2}

However, we don't know what the value of P1 is just yet. To determine it, we must use the values we do know to solve for the initial pressure.

\displaystyle \begin{align*} P&=\frac{nRT}{V} \\ &=\frac{1*0.0821*298}{15} \\ &= 1.631\ atm \end{align*}

Now, we have P1. Using this, along with T1 and T2, we can solve for P2.

\displaystyle \begin{align*} P_2&=\frac{T_2*P_1}{T_1} \\ &= \frac{323*1.631}{298}\\ &= 1.768\ atm \end{align*}

Example Question #311 : Ap Physics 2

If a container of \displaystyle 2\: moles of oxygen gas undergoes an isobaric expansion in which its volume is doubled at a pressure of \displaystyle 5\: atm, what happens to the gas's temperature?

Possible Answers:

The temperature is doubled

The temperature is halved

The temperature is quadrupled

The temperature remains the same

The temperature is reduced by a quarter

Correct answer:

The temperature is doubled

Explanation:

In this question, we're given a situation in which a gas with certain defined parameters is undergoing an isobaric expansion. We're asked to determine how the temperature changes.

An isobaric expansion refers to a process in which a container expands while maintaining a constant pressure. In this problem, we're going to need to use the ideal gas law.

\displaystyle PV=nRT

Based on the process described in the question stem, we know that the number of moles of gas will remain the same. Furthermore, we know the pressure remains constant. And, of course, the ideal gas constant stays the same as well. Thus, we can lump all the constants together.

\displaystyle \frac{V}{T}=\frac{nR}{P}

Therefore, the only variables that will be changing during this process are the temperature and the volume. Consequently, we can set up a before and after expression.

\displaystyle \frac{V_{1}}{T_{1}}=\frac{V_{2}}{T_{2}}

Since we're solving for the final temperature, \displaystyle T_{2}, let's go ahead and isolate that term.

\displaystyle T_{2}=T_{1}(\frac{V_{2}}{V_{1}})

Since we know the volume doubles, we can conclude that \displaystyle 2V_{1}=V_{2}. We can plug this into the equation to obtain:

\displaystyle T_{2}=T_{1}(\frac{2V_{1}}{V_{1}})

Canceling common terms, we obtain:

\displaystyle T_{2}=2T_{1}

Thus, we see that the final temperature is twice as much as the initial temperature. We could have concluded this fairly easily without the math, since we know that temperature and volume are directly proportional to one another. If one doubles, the other will also double (assuming all other variables remain constant).

Example Question #311 : Ap Physics 2

\displaystyle 10L sealed metal container is being tested. It is filled with atmosphere at \displaystyle 1atm and \displaystyle 20^\circ C. Previous tests indicate that it can reach \displaystyle 6atm before failure. Determine what temperature the air inside would need to rise up to to reach that pressure.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 1485^\circ C

None of these

\displaystyle 120^\circ K

\displaystyle 1758^\circ C

\displaystyle 120^\circ C

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 1485^\circ C

Explanation:

Using

\displaystyle \frac{P_1V_1}{T_1}=\frac{P_2V_2}{T_2}

\displaystyle V_1=V_2

So

\displaystyle \frac{P_1}{T_1}=\frac{P_2}{T_2}

Solving for \displaystyle T_2

\displaystyle T_2=T_1\frac{P_2}{P_1}

Converting to Kelvin and plugging in values

\displaystyle T_2=293*\frac{6}{1}

\displaystyle T_2=1758^\circ K=1485^\circ C

Example Question #21 : Ideal Gas Law

If a sample of gas whose density is \displaystyle 40\:\frac{g}{L} is at a pressure of \displaystyle 2.4\:atm and a temperature of \displaystyle 300\:K, what is the molar mass of this gas?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 410.3\:\frac{g}{mol}

\displaystyle 512.8\:\frac{g}{mol}

\displaystyle 350.8\:\frac{g}{mol}

\displaystyle 211.4\:\frac{g}{mol}

\displaystyle 197.2\:\frac{g}{mol}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 410.3\:\frac{g}{mol}

Explanation:

For this question, we're given various parameters with regards to a gas, including its pressure, temperature, and density. We're asked to solve for the gas's molar mass.

To solve this problem, we'll need to make use of the ideal gas law.

\displaystyle PV=nRT

Using this expression, we'll need to manipulate it in order to account for the density of the gas. To do that, we'll have to define moles in an alternative way.

\displaystyle n=\frac{mass}{molar\:mass}=\frac{m}{MM}

Combining these two expressions....

\displaystyle PV=(\frac{m}{MM})RT

And rearranging further....

\displaystyle \rho =\frac{m}{V}=\frac{P(MM)}{RT}

Leads us to a term for density.

\displaystyle \rho =\frac{P(MM)}{RT}

Now, we can isolate the term for molar mass.

\displaystyle MM=\frac{\rho RT}{P}

Then we just need to plug in the values from the question stem to find the molar mass.

\displaystyle MM=\frac{(40\:\frac{g}{L})(0.08206\:\frac{L\cdot atm}{mol\cdot K})(300\:K)}{2.4\:atm}

\displaystyle MM=410.3\:\frac{g}{mol}

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