Answer to Question #252817 in Chemistry for Luisa

Question

An aerosol can contains gases under a pressure of 4.5 atm at 27 ◦C. If the can is left on a hot sandy beach, the pressure of the gases increases to 4.85 atm. What is the Celsius temperature on the beach?

Answer 1

P₁ = 4.50 atm 

T₁ =  27^◦C +273 = 300 K

V₁ = V₂ = const

P₂ = 4.85 atm

T₂ = unknown

Solution:

Since the volume doesn't change, Gay-Lussac's Law can be used.

Gay-Lussac's Law can be expressed as: P₁/T₁ = P₂/T₂

P₁T₂ = P₂T₁

To find the final temperature, solve the equation for T₂:

T₂ = P₂T₁/P₁

T₂ = (4.85 atm × 300 K) / (4.50 atm) = 323.33 K = 323 K

T₂ = 323 K or 323 - 273 = 50^◦C

Answer: 50^◦C