Chapter II - DEFINITIONS AND UNITS

Problem *2.17

A vertical, frictionless piston/cylinder, · similar to the one illustrated from Problem

2.31, contains a gas at an unknown pressure. The piston has a mass of 20 lbm and
a cross-sectional area of 50 in2• In addition the spring exerts,a downward force of
15 lbf on the piston and atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psia. Determine the pressure
of the gas.

Given: Piston with spring force and gas pressure acting on it.

Find: Gas pressure in cylinder.

Sketch and Given Data:

Assumptions: 1) Acceleration of gravity is 32.174 ft/sec2•

Analysis: Write balance of vertical forces on piston (forces up = forces down).

pgas ~istoo =p SUIT ~istoo + m.! + Fspring

gc

2
(P8as)(50 in2) = (14.7 psia)(50 in2) + (20 Ibm) (32·174 ft/sec ) + 15 lb~
32.174 lbm-ft)
( lbt-sec2
P 8as = 15.4 psia

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