10 A Gas 1 2
10 A Gas 1 2
10 A Gas 1 2
Introduction: handout 1
Pressure of a gas
units are derived based on velocity, acceleration and force
Velocity is the change in distance with elapsed time; SI units: m/s but we also use cm/s
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅
Velocity =
𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒑𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
Acceleration is the change in velocity with time; measured in m/s2 (or cm/s)
𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚
Acceleration =
𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒑𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
Force is mass multiplied with acceleration; 1N = 1 kg m/s2
Force = mass x acceleration
Pressure is force applied per unit area; 1 Pa = 1 N/m2
𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆
Pressure =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
Atmospheric Pressure: is the pressure exerted by Earth’s atmosphere; depends on location,
temperature and weather conditions
o Standard atmospheric pressure = 1 atm = 760 mmHg = 760 torr = 101,325 Pa
CONVERSIONS:
Example 1: The pressure outside a jet plane flying at high altitude falls considerably below
standard atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the air inside the cabin must be pressurized to protect
the passengers. What is the pressure in “atmospheres (atm)” if the barometer reading is 688
mmHg?
Example 2: The atmospheric pressure in San Francisco on a certain day was 732 mmHg. What
was the pressure in kPa?
𝟏 𝟏
𝑽 ∝ ; 𝑽 = 𝒌𝟏 𝒙
𝑷 𝑷
k1 = proportionality constant
Example 1: An inflated balloon has a volume of 0.55L at sea level (1.0 atm) and is allowed to
rise to a height of 6.5 km, where the pressure is about 0.40 atm. Assuming that temperature
remains constant, what is the final volume of the balloon?
P1V1 = P2V2
INITIAL CONDITION FINAL CONDITION
P1 = 1.0 atm P2 = 0.40 atm
V1 = 0.55 L V2 = ?
Practice 1: A sample of chlorine 1gas occupies a volume of 946 mL at a pressure of 726 mmHg.
Calculate the pressure of the gas (in mmHg) if the volume is reduced at constant temperature to
154 mL.