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3.3 Particle model and pressure

3.3 Particle model and pressure

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Question 8

An industrial pneumatic cylinder contains a fixed mass of argon gas.

a.

Which two of the following statements correctly describe the microscopic motion of the argon gas particles within the cylinder?

  • The particles all travel at an identical, constant speed at any given temperature.
  • The particles move in random directions.
  • The particles move with a wide range of different speeds.
  • The particles only vibrate about fixed positions.
  • The particles move in predictable, smooth circular paths.
  • The particles are always at rest until a force is applied by the piston.
[2]
b.

The initial pressure of the argon gas inside the cylinder is 3.20×105 Pa3.20 \times 10^{5}\text{ Pa}3.20×105 Pa and its volume is 0.045 m30.045\text{ m}^{3}0.045 m3.

The piston is compressed slowly at a constant temperature, reducing the volume of the gas to 0.012 m30.012\text{ m}^{3}0.012 m3. No gas escapes.

Calculate the new pressure of the argon gas inside the cylinder.

[3]
c.

The temperature of the argon gas in the cylinder is subsequently increased, while the volume and mass of the gas are held strictly constant.

Explain, in terms of the behavior of the gas particles, why the pressure exerted by the gas on the walls of the cylinder increases.

[4]
Markscheme

3.3 Particle model and pressure Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /3.3 Particle model and pressure

8 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 3.3 Particle model and pressure, covering 3.3.1 Particle motion in gases, 3.3.2 Pressure in gases, and 3.3.3 Increasing the pressure of a gas (HT only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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