A researcher traps a sample of argon gas inside a sealed glass cylinder equipped with a motorized piston, as shown in the diagram.
The piston is pulled outward slowly so that the volume of the gas increases while its temperature remains constant.
Explain, in terms of gas particles, why the pressure of the gas decreases when the volume increases.
Your answer should refer to:
- how the gas particles exert a pressure on the cylinder walls
- why the pressure decreases when the volume is increased at a constant temperature.