If the pressure of a gas sample is quadrupled and the absolute temperature is doubled, by what factor does the volume of the sample change
A) 8
B) 2
C) 1/2
D) 1/4
E) 1/8

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the combined gas law, PV/T = k (where P is pressure, V is volume, and T is temperature in kelvin). If the pressure is quadrupled (multiplied by 4) and the temperature is doubled, then the new PV/T value would be (4P)(2T)/T = 8P. This means that the volume must decrease by a factor of 8 in order to keep the PV/T value constant. Thus, the volume changes by a factor of 1/8 (or 1 divided by 8), which is the same as multiplying by 1/2 (or dividing by 2). Therefore, the best choice is C) 1/2.

If the Pressure of a Gas Sample Is Quadrupled and the Absolute