Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0133942651
ISBN 13: 978-0-13394-265-1

Chapter 18 - A Macroscopic Description of Matter - Stop to Think 18.6 - Page 502: 1

Answer

C. $T_{helium} < T_{nitrogen}$

Work Step by Step

The ideal gas law can be rewritten to derive T: $$T = \frac{pV}{nR}$$ Pressure ($p$) and volume ($V$) are the same for both containers. However, $n$, or the amount of gas molecules, inside each container is different. The containers have equal mass, but since nitrogen gas has a higher molecular mass than that of helium gas (28 > 4), there are more moles of helium inside a container than moles of nitrogen inside the other. Thus the container with helium has a lower temperature, since $n$ is inversely proportionate to $T$.
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