MCAT Physical : Fluids and Gases

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Physical

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Gas Laws

A certain gas is initially at a pressure of 2atm in a volume of 5L. It then experiences a decrease in volume to 2L, and is held at a constant temperature throughout the process. What is the new pressure?

Possible Answers:

2atm

3atm

4atm

5atm

Correct answer:

5atm

Explanation:

Since this is an isothermal change (constant temperature), this falls under Boyle's law.

Taking this equation and solving for the new pressure (P2) we come up with 5atm.

Example Question #41 : Fluids And Gases

A balloon filled with one mole of an ideal gas is leaking molecules at a constant rate of.

After 75 hours, the pressure is half of the initial pressure. What is the new volume in terms of the initial volume, ?

Assume temperature remains constant.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can use the given values to determine how many moles of the gas have leaked out after 75 hours.

We now know that the balloon started with one mole, and that 0.75 moles have leaked. This means that 0.25 moles remain in the balloon. We now have our initial and final mole values and pressure values. We can rearrange the ideal gas law to isolate the variables we need, assuming that the temperature is constant.

Using our proportions, we can try to solve for the final volume. For simplicity, assume the initial pressure is 1 and the final pressure is 0.5.

Example Question #1 : Gases

How many moles of oxygen gas are in a  sample that is at a temperature of  and a pressure of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, each value must be converted to the correct units given for the gas constant.

Next, use the ideal gas law to solve for moles.



 

Example Question #5 : Gas Laws

Regarding the following sets of conditions, which answer option gives the correct listing of systemic pressures from greatest to least?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question asks for you to look at a set of conditions for gases, and determine relative pressures. The best equation to use for quick calculation and relation is the ideal gas law, given by:

Rearranging this, and removing the constant (since it will not affect relative pressure), we can generate a proportionality of pressure to the other variables.

We can use this proportionality with each option to determine their rankings by pressure.

Example Question #6 : Gas Laws

How many grams of ammonia gas are in a  sample at  and ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, convert temperature to Kelvin.

Next, use the ideal gas law to solve for moles.  

Finally, convert moles of ammonia to grams using molar mass.

Example Question #41 : Fluids And Gases

What is the temperature of a 1L container at STP after the pressure is doubled?

Possible Answers:

596K

200K

546K

298K

273K

Correct answer:

546K

Explanation:

Using Gay-Lussac's Law, which is , we can find the change in temperature when the pressure is doubled.

Because the problem states that the original conditions were at STP, we know that pressure is 1atm and temperature is 273K. Since pressure and temperature are directly proportional, doubling pressure will also double the temperature. The final temperature will be 546K.

Example Question #11 : Gas Laws

 of carbon dioxide at an original temperature of  is heated to . What is the new volume of the gas?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Remember to convert temperature to Kelvin when using the gas equations.

We will use Charles's Law to calculate the new volume:



Use the given temperatures and initial volume to calculate the final volume.

Example Question #42 : Fluids And Gases

Which of the following would not cause a decrease in the pressure of a gas in a sealed container?

Possible Answers:

Increasing the volume of the container

Reducing the temperature

Adding moles of a different gas

Removing gas particles from the container

Correct answer:

Adding moles of a different gas

Explanation:

A decrease in pressure means a decrease in gas particle collisions. The only option that would not cause a decrease in collisions is adding moles of a different gas. Even though different molecules are added, there will be greater pressure as particle collisions will be more frequent.

Reducing temperature slows the gas particles, thus decreasing the frequency of collisions. Similarly, increasing the volume of the container and removing particles will cause a decrease in collisions, and subsequent pressure. 

Example Question #11 : Gases

A sealed container holds three moles of gas at 1atm and 200K. Its pressure is to 2atm. What will be the resulting temperature in the container?

Possible Answers:

300K

400K

273K

100K

250K

Correct answer:

400K

Explanation:

In the problem, the volume and the number of moles are constant and the temperature and pressure are the only two variables that are changing. Using the ideal gas law we can find that temperature and pressure are directly proportional. When pressure increases by a factor of two, temperature will also increase by a factor of two.

Example Question #15 : Gas Laws

container holds  of oxygen gas at a temperature of . The temperature remains constant and the volume of the container is increased to . What is the final pressure of the gas in terms of the initial pressure, ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The amount of gas is irrelevant. If the temperature is held constant and the volume is increased by a factor of three, the resulting pressure is decreased by a factor of three according to Boyle’s Law.

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