5.1 Name five elements and five compounds that exist as gases at room temperature.

CHAPTER 5
GASES
5.1 Elements: H
2
, He, O
2
, Cl
2
, Xe. Compounds: CO, CO
2
,H
2
S, SO
2
, CH
4
5.2 List the physical characteristics of gases.
All gases have the following physical characteristics:
• Gases assume the volume and shape of their containers.
• Gases are the most compressible of the states of matter.
• Gases will mix evenly and completely when confined to the same container.
• Gases have much lower densities than liquids and solids.

5.3 Define pressure and give the common units for pressure.
Pressure is one of the most readily measurable properties of a gas. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure and a manometer measures the
pressure of a gas in the laboratory.
The SI unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa), defined as one newton per square meter: 1Pa = 1N/m2

5.4 Describe how a barometer and a manometer are used to measure gas pressure.

5.5 Why is mercury a more suitable substance to use in a barometer than water?
Mercury is commonly used in barometers because its high density means the height of the column can be a reasonable size to measure
atmospheric pressure. This is because mercury is 13.6 times more dense than water

5.6 Explain why the height of mercury in a barometer is independent of the cross-sectional area of the tube.
Would the barometer still work if the tubing were tilted at an angle, say 15° (see Figure 5.2)?

5.7 Would it be easier to drink water with a straw on top of Mt. Everest or at the foot? Explain.
Explanation: When we deink through a straw the pressure inside the straw decreases as the air is with
drawan by the mouth and the liquid is pushed up to our mouth by atmospheric pressure. Thus it depends
upon the pressure difference. So if pressure difference is more then it is easy to drink with straw and vice
versa. At Mt Everest atmospheric pressure is low and hence pressure difference is less than at base. Hence it
is easier to drink with straw at base rather than Mt Everest.

5.8 Is the atmospheric pressure in a mine that is 500 m below sea level greater or less than 1 atm?

5.9 What is the difference between a gas and a vapor? At 25°C, which of the following substances in the gas
phase should be properly called a gas and which should be called a vapor: molecular nitrogen (N2),
mercury?

5.10 If the maximum distance that water may be brought up a well by a suction pump is 34 ft (10.3 m), how
is it possible to obtain water and oil from hundreds of feet below the surface of Earth?

5.11 Why is it that if the barometer reading falls in one part of the world, it must rise somewhere else?
5.12 Why do astronauts have to wear protective suits when they are on the surface of the moon?
Astronauts must wear spacesuits whenever they leave a spacecraft and are exposed to the environment of space. In
space, there is no air to breath and no air pressure. Space is extremely cold and filled with dangerous radiation.
Without protection, an astronaut would quickly die in space. Spacesuits are specially designed to protect astronauts
from the cold, radiation and low pressure in space. They also provide air to breathe. Wearing a spacesuit allows an
astronaut to survive and work in space.