In an isothermal process, the temperature of an ideal gas remains constant. If the volume of the gas is doubled, what happens to the pressure? (2020)
Practice Questions
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Q1
In an isothermal process, the temperature of an ideal gas remains constant. If the volume of the gas is doubled, what happens to the pressure? (2020)
It doubles
It halves
It remains constant
It quadruples
According to Boyle's Law, P1V1 = P2V2. If V2 = 2V1, then P2 = P1/2.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: In an isothermal process, the temperature of an ideal gas remains constant. If the volume of the gas is doubled, what happens to the pressure? (2020)
Solution: According to Boyle's Law, P1V1 = P2V2. If V2 = 2V1, then P2 = P1/2.
Steps: 8
Step 1: Understand that an isothermal process means the temperature of the gas does not change.
Step 2: Recall Boyle's Law, which states that the pressure (P) of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume (V) when temperature is constant. This can be written as P1V1 = P2V2.
Step 3: Identify the initial conditions: let P1 be the initial pressure and V1 be the initial volume of the gas.
Step 4: If the volume is doubled, then the new volume (V2) is 2 times the initial volume (V2 = 2V1).
Step 5: Substitute V2 into Boyle's Law: P1V1 = P2(2V1).
Step 6: Simplify the equation: P1 = 2P2.
Step 7: Rearrange the equation to find P2: P2 = P1/2.
Step 8: Conclude that if the volume of the gas is doubled, the pressure is halved.
