Gas pressure and temperature

EasyMediumHard
12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
Question 26
Medium

A student traps a sample of air inside a sealed plastic syringe, as shown in the diagram.

A diagram of a sealed syringe with a plunger. In the initial state, the plunger is pulled back, enclosing a volume of 80 cm³ of gas at a pressure of 100 kPa. In the final state, the plunger is pushed in, enclosing a volume of 40 cm³ of gas at a pressure of 200 kPa. The gas particles are shown as small, randomly distributed spheres inside the syringe.

The plunger is pushed in slowly so that the volume of the gas decreases while its temperature remains constant.

Explain, in terms of gas particles, why the pressure of the gas increases when the volume decreases.

Your answer should refer to:

  • how the gas particles exert a pressure
  • why the pressure increases when the volume is reduced at a constant temperature.
[6]

Gas pressure and temperature Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Gas pressure and temperature