Question

The volume of a certain mass of gas at 17 degree C is 400ml what temperature must be attained in order to (i) double the volume (ii) reduce the volume of 1/2

Answer 1

To calculate the temperature, we must first convert this to the absolute (thermodynamic) temperature scale. 17 deg C = (273.15+17)K = 290.15K.

(i) For the volume to double, the absolute temperature must also be doubled, i.e. the new temperature should be 2 x 290.15K = 580.3K = 307.15 deg C.

(ii) To reduce the volume by 1/2, the absolute temperature must also be halved, i.e. the new temperature should be 0.5 x 290.15K = 145.075K = -128.075 deg C.