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Reviewed CSCA Physics question · Hard

A sealed container with a movable piston holds 0.60 mol of an ideal gas at an initial pressure of 1.5 × 10^5 Pa and an initial volume of 0.030 m^3. The gas is compressed isothermally until its volume is 0.020 m^3. What is the final pressure of the gas?

  1. 1.0 × 10^5 Pa
  2. 1.5 × 10^5 Pa
  3. 2.25 × 10^5 Pa
  4. 3.0 × 10^5 Pa
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Correct answer

C. 2.25 × 10^5 Pa

Principle or equation

For an isothermal process of an ideal gas, Boyle's law applies: P1 V1 = P2 V2, provided the amount of gas and temperature remain constant.

Why this answer is correct

Given P1 = 1.5 × 10^5 Pa, V1 = 0.030 m^3, V2 = 0.020 m^3. Using P2 = P1 V1 / V2 = (1.5 × 10^5)(0.030)/(0.020) = 2.25 × 10^5 Pa.

Example

If a gas at 2.0 × 10^5 Pa and 0.040 m^3 is compressed isothermally to 0.010 m^3, the new pressure is 8.0 × 10^5 Pa.

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