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CSP Question 01/06/2010 – Basic Science

A cylinder with a volume of 4 ft3 contains helium gas in a laboratory. The cylinder
gauge reads 1500 psi. A technician opens the valve of the cylinder and releases helium
directly into the laboratory until the gauge reads 1485 psi. What is the volume of the
helium in the room?

A. 0.04 ft3
B. 0.41 ft3
C. 4.1 ft3
D. 41 ft3

Solution:

P1V1 P2 V2
= where
T1 T2

P1 = initial pressure = 1500 psi

⎛ 1500-1485 ⎞ 3 3
V1 = initial volume = ⎜ ⎟ 4 ft = 0.04 ft
⎝ 1500 ⎠
T1 = initial temperature = T2

P2 = new pressure = atmospheric pressure of 14.7 psi (unless stated otherwise)

V2 = new volume

(1500 psi) ( 0.04 ft3 ) (14.7 psi) V2

=
T1 T1
(1500 psi) ( 0.04 ft3 )
V2 = = 4.1 ft3
(14.7 psi )
The correct solution is C.

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