High School Physics : Understanding Effects of Heat on Volume

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Heat

An ideal gas is inside of a container with a pressure of \displaystyle 2Pa. If it starts with a volume of \displaystyle 1L  and is compressed to \displaystyle 0.5L, what is the new pressure if the temperature remains constant?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 4Pa

\displaystyle 2Pa

\displaystyle 0.5Pa

\displaystyle 10Pa

\displaystyle 8Pa

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 4Pa

Explanation:

We will need to use Boyle's Law to solve:

\displaystyle P_1V_1=P_2V_2

Boyle's Law allows us to set up a relationship between the changes in pressure and volume under conditions with constant temperature. Since the equation is a proportion, we do not need to convert any units.

We can use the given values to solve for the new pressure.

\displaystyle (2Pa)(1L)=(P_2)(0.5L)
 

\displaystyle \frac{(2Pa)(1L)}{0.5L}=(P_2)

\displaystyle \frac{2Pa\cdot L}{0.5L}=P_2

\displaystyle 4Pa=P_2

Example Question #1 : Understanding Effects Of Heat On Volume

An ideal gas is inside of a tube at \displaystyle 60^oC. If the pressure remains constant, but the volume decreases from \displaystyle 5m^3 to \displaystyle 3m^3, what will be the final temperature in the tube?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 36^oC

\displaystyle 120^oC

\displaystyle 180^oC

\displaystyle 24^oC

\displaystyle 18^oC

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 36^oC

Explanation:

For this problem, use Charles's Law:

\displaystyle \frac{V_1}{T_1}=\frac{V_2}{T_2}

In this formula, \displaystyle V is the volume and \displaystyle T is the temperature. Charles's Law allows us to set up a proportion for changes in volume and temperature, as long as pressure remains constant. Since we are dealing with a proportion, the units for temperature are irrelevant and we do not need to convert to Kelvin.

Using the given values, we should be able to solve for the final temperature.

\displaystyle \frac{V_1}{T_1}=\frac{V_2}{T_2}

\displaystyle \frac{5m^3}{60^oC}=\frac{3m^3}{T_2}

Cross multiply.

\displaystyle 5m^3* T_2=3m^3* 60^oC

\displaystyle 5m^3* T_2=180(^oC\cdot m^3)

\displaystyle T_2=\frac{180(^{\circ}C\cdot m^3)}{5m^3}

\displaystyle T_2=36^{\circ}C

Example Question #21 : Heat

An ideal gas is compressed from \displaystyle 8L to \displaystyle 6L at constant temperature. If the initial pressure was \displaystyle 20Pa, what is the new pressure?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 18Pa

\displaystyle 53.33Pa

\displaystyle 960Pa

\displaystyle 15Pa

\displaystyle 26.67Pa

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 26.67Pa

Explanation:

For this problem, use Boyle's Law: 

\displaystyle P_1V_1=P_2V_2

Boyle's Law allows us to set up a proportion between the pressure and volume at a constant temperature.

Using the values given, we can solve for the final pressure.

\displaystyle P_1V_1=P_2V_2

\displaystyle 20Pa* 8L=P_2* 6L

\displaystyle 160Pa\cdot L=P_2* 6L

\displaystyle \frac{160Pa\cdot L}{6L}=P_2

\displaystyle 26.67Pa=P_2

Example Question #1 : Understanding Effects Of Heat On Volume

A balloon in a hot room is submerged in a bucket of cold water. What will happen to this balloon?

Possible Answers:

It will lose air

It will not change

It will expand

It will shrink

It will pop

Correct answer:

It will shrink

Explanation:

The volume of air in the balloon will increase when exposed to hotter temperatures, and decrease when exposed to colder temperatures. If we look at the ideal gas law, we can see that temperature and volume have a direct relationship. As one goes down, so does the other, assuming all other factors remain constant.

\displaystyle PV=nRT

We can also look at Charles's law of volumes:

\displaystyle \frac{V_1}{T_1}=\frac{V_2}{T_2}

 

The balloon is sealed, so the amount of gas in the balloon will not change, and the elasticity of the balloon means that pressure will also remain constant. As temperature decreases, volume must also decrease. Suppose that the temperature is halved in our question. The result would be half the volume, according to Charles's law.

\displaystyle \frac{V_1}{T_1}=\frac{xV_2}{\frac{1}{2}T_2}=\frac{\frac{1}{2}V_2}{\frac{1}{2}T_2}

By this logic, we can conclude that the balloon will shrink when placed in the cold water.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Effects Of Heat On Volume

Why does adding heat cause a gas to expand?

Possible Answers:

Adding heat adds more molecules of gas to the system

Adding heat increases the velocity of the molecules

Adding heat will not cause a gas to expand

Adding heat reduces the friction in the molecules when they are moving

Adding heat causes the molecules to bond together, increasing their volume

Correct answer:

Adding heat increases the velocity of the molecules

Explanation:

Heat is a form of energy. Adding heat to a gaseous system will increase the energy of the molecules, causing them to move faster and collide more frequently. This increased velocity results in the expansion of the gas.

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