A given mass of gas in a rigid container is heated from 100°C to 500°C. Which of the following best describes what will happen to the pressure of the gas?
A)The pressure will remain the same.
B)The pressure will decrease by a factor of five.
C)The pressure will increase by a factor of five.
D)The pressure will increase by a factor less than five.
E)The pressure will increase by a factor greater than five.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pressure of a gas in a rigid container when heated will increase due to the increase in the kinetic energy of the gas molecules, which results in more frequent and forceful collisions with the container walls. However, the increase in pressure is directly proportional to the increase in temperature when measured in Kelvin. Since the temperature increases from 373K (100°C) to 773K (500°C), the factor of increase is less than five (773/373 < 5), hence the pressure will increase by a factor less than five.

A Given Mass of Gas in a Rigid Container Is