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Ch.5 - Gases
Chapter 5, Problem 43

An automobile tire has a maximum rating of 38.0 psi (gauge pressure). The tire is inflated (while cold) to a volume of 11.8 L and a gauge pressure of 36.0 psi at a temperature of 12.0 °C. On a hot day, the tire warms to 65.0 °C, and its volume expands to 12.2 L. Does the pressure in the tire exceed its maximum rating? (Note: The gauge pressure is the difference between the total pressure and atmospheric pressure. In this case, assume that atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi.)

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Identify the initial and final conditions of the gas in the tire: initial volume (V1) = 11.8 L, initial gauge pressure (P1) = 36.0 psi, initial temperature (T1) = 12.0 °C, final volume (V2) = 12.2 L, final temperature (T2) = 65.0 °C.
Convert the temperatures from Celsius to Kelvin by adding 273.15 to each temperature: T1 = 12.0 + 273.15 K, T2 = 65.0 + 273.15 K.
Calculate the initial absolute pressure (P1_abs) by adding atmospheric pressure to the initial gauge pressure: P1_abs = 36.0 psi + 14.7 psi.
Use the combined gas law P1×V1T1=P2×V2T2 to solve for the final absolute pressure (P2_abs). Rearrange the equation to find P2_abs: P2abs=P1×V1×T2T1×V2.
Subtract atmospheric pressure from the final absolute pressure to find the final gauge pressure (P2_gauge): P2_gauge = P2_abs - 14.7 psi. Compare P2_gauge to the maximum rating of 38.0 psi to determine if it exceeds the maximum rating.

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Key Concepts

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

Gauge Pressure vs. Absolute Pressure

Gauge pressure measures the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, meaning it does not include the atmospheric pressure in its value. To find the absolute pressure, which is crucial for calculations, you must add atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi) to the gauge pressure. For example, a gauge pressure of 36.0 psi corresponds to an absolute pressure of 50.7 psi (36.0 + 14.7).
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Ideal Gas Law

The Ideal Gas Law (PV = nRT) relates the pressure (P), volume (V), temperature (T), and amount of gas (n) in a system. This law allows us to predict how changes in temperature and volume affect pressure. In this scenario, as the tire heats up and expands, we can use the Ideal Gas Law to determine the new pressure based on the initial conditions and the changes in temperature and volume.
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Charles's Law

Charles's Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature (in Kelvin) when pressure is held constant. This principle helps us understand how the volume of the tire changes with temperature. In this case, as the tire warms from 12.0 °C to 65.0 °C, the increase in temperature will lead to an increase in volume, which must be accounted for when calculating the final pressure.
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