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Ch.10 - Gases
Chapter 10, Problem 40a

An aerosol spray can with a volume of 125 mL contains 1.30 g of propane gas (C3H8) as a propellant. (a) If the can is at 25 °C, what is the pressure in the can?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ideal Gas Law

The Ideal Gas Law is a fundamental equation in chemistry that relates the pressure, volume, temperature, and number of moles of a gas. It is expressed as PV = nRT, where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is temperature in Kelvin. This law allows us to calculate the pressure of a gas when its volume, temperature, and amount are known.
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Molar Mass

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). For propane (C3H8), the molar mass can be calculated by summing the atomic masses of its constituent elements: carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). Knowing the molar mass is essential for converting grams of a substance to moles, which is necessary for applying the Ideal Gas Law.
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Gas Pressure

Gas pressure is the force exerted by gas molecules colliding with the walls of their container. It is typically measured in units such as atmospheres (atm) or pascals (Pa). In the context of the aerosol can, understanding how temperature and the number of gas molecules affect pressure is crucial for determining the pressure inside the can using the Ideal Gas Law.
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