Concept explainers
The reason why the pressure of the gas drops proportionately on increasing the volume of an ideal gas.
Answer to Problem 1FTD
The reason why the pressure of the gas drops proportionately on increasing the volume of an ideal gas is that for ideal gases the pressure and volume are inversely proportional to each other at constant temperature.
Explanation of Solution
Ideal gases are those which obey the
As the volume of the gas increases, the distance between the molecules of the gas increases while the number of molecules remains the same. Pressure is the force applied per unit area. This implies as volume increases, the force on unit area or pressure decreases.
If the piston of a piston-cylinder system is moved to vary the volume of the gas at constant temperature, it is seen that the pressure varies inversely with volume. This implies for an ideal gas at constant temperature, pressure decreases as volume increases. This is stated in the ideal gas equation.
Conclusion:
Therefore the reason why the pressure of the gas drops proportionately on increasing the volume of an ideal gas is that for ideal gases the pressure and volume are inversely proportional to each other at constant temperature.
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Chapter 17 Solutions
Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)