How to calculate temperature of expanded ideal gas.

By definition an ideal gas in a closed follows the relationship of PV=nRT, or PV/T = constant

This means that Pressure * Volume/ Temperature will be the same at the start and end of the process. 

So P1V1/T1=P2V2/T2

Assuming that we have a gas at a temperature of 300k (T1) in a piston initially at 1m(V1) which is then expanded at constant pressure (isobaric) to 2m3.(V2) What would be the final temperature?

As Pressure is the same at the start and end of the process, we can ignore the pressure terms, giving

V1/T1=V2/T2

Rearranging the equation to give a solution to T2

T2=V1*T1/V2

Thus filling in the terms we already know, gives

T2=1*300/2

T2=150k

IC
Answered by Iain C. Physics tutor

7504 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Draw diagrams to represent the particles in each state: solid, liquid, and gas.


Explain, in terms of pressure, how straws draw water into your mouth.


A 15kg cannonball and a 1kg football are dropped to the ground from a height of 10 metres. Calculate the speed of the cannonball and of the football just before they hit the ground (you may ignore air resistance).


How does the resistance of a filament lamp change as the voltage increase?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning