ANDERSON SERANGOON JUNIOR COLLEGE

PHYSICS 9749

Topic 8 Temperature and Ideal Gases Assignment

Name: ___________________________ Class: __________

Avogadro constant, NA = 6.02  1023 mol−1

Molar gas constant, R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1
Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38  10−23 J K−1
rest mass of electron, me = 9.11  10-31 kg
rest mass of proton, mp = 1.67  10-27 kg
3
Mean kinetic energy of a molecule of an ideal gas E = kT
2
1 The values of the pressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas in a gas thermometer at the
triple point of water are 1.00  105 Pa and 1.00  10–3 m3 respectively.
Determine the temperature of the gas when the pressure of the gas is 1.10  105 Pa and its
volume 1.20  10–3 m3.

temperature of gas = ……………………………. K [2]

2 A cylinder, 0.50 m long and of cross-sectional area S, closed at each end, is fitted with a
smooth thermally insulating piston, so as to contain ideal gas in each end A and B as shown
in the figure.
Initially, the piston is in equilibrium at a distance of 0.20 m from one end of the cylinder, and
the gas in each compartment is at a temperature of 27 C.

The temperature of the smaller volume of gas, A, is now increased to 177 C, while that of the
gas in the larger volume B is maintained at 27C. The piston moves through a distance x until
a new position of equilibrium is obtained.
0.20 m

A B

0.50 m

(a) Write down the equation relating the initial and final pressures, volumes and temperatures
of the gas in A. [1]

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 ANDERSON SERANGOON JUNIOR COLLEGE
PHYSICS 9749

(b) Write down the equation relating the initial and final pressures and volumes of the gas in
B. [1]

(c) Hence, determine the new position of equilibrium.

new position of equilibrium = ………………………………………… [2]

3 A certain plasma contains hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons in thermal equilibrium. Both
protons and electrons can be assumed to behave as molecules of an ideal gas. The root mean
square speed of the electrons in the plasma is estimated to be 3.0 x 106 m s-1.

(a) Estimate the root mean square speed of the hydrogen ions.

root mean square speed = …………………………………………m s–1 [2]

(b) Estimate the temperature of the plasma.

temperature = ……………………………………… K [2]

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 ANDERSON SERANGOON JUNIOR COLLEGE
PHYSICS 9749

2020 Temperature and Ideal Gases Assignment Question Suggested Solution

1 Applying the ideal gas equation, we have

pV (pV)tr
T = Ttr
(1.10 x105 )(1.20 x10 −3 ) (1.00 x105 )(1.00 x10 −3 )
= M1
T 273.16
1.10 1.20
Temperature of the gas, T = (1.00)(1.00) x 273.16
= 361K A1

2 Let x be the distance the piston moved towards end of B.

(nA)initial = (nA)final (i.e. number of moles of molecules in A remains unchanged)

(nB)initial = (nB)final (i.e. number of moles of molecules in B remains unchanged)

(nA)initial + (nB)initial = (nA)final + (nB)final (i.e. total no. of moles of molecules in whole system
remains unchanged)

(a) For gas in A, (nA)initial = (nA)final

PinitialVinitial PfinalV final

=
Tinitial T final
Pinitial ( 0.2S ) Pfinal ( 0.2 + x ) S 
=
27 + 273 177 + 273
Pinitial ( 0.2 ) Pfinal ( 0.2 + x )
=
300 450
Pinitial ( 0.3) = Pfinal ( 0.2 + x )
----------- (1) B1

(b) For gas in B, (nB)initial = (nB)final

PinitialVinitial PfinalV final

=
Tinitial T final
Pinitial ( 0.3S ) Pfinal ( 0.3 − x ) S 
=
27 + 273 27 + 273
Pinitial ( 0.3) = Pfinal ( 0.3 − x ) B1
-------------- (2)
(c) At equilibrium, Initial pressure of A = Initial pressure of B and
Final pressure of A = Final pressure of B M1

Dividing equations (1) by (2), x = 0.05 m.

Hence, the new position of equilibrium is 0.25 m from either end. A1

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 ANDERSON SERANGOON JUNIOR COLLEGE
PHYSICS 9749

2 Alternatively, we can use the following steps if there is no guidance from the
question:
Initial equilibrium, pA = pB
n A RTA nB RTB
=
0.2S 0.3S
n A 0.2
= B1
nB 0.3
--- (1)
Then final equilibrium, p’A = p’B
n A RT ' A n RT 'B
= B
(0.2 + x) S (0.3 − x) S
n A (0.2 + x) (27 + 273)
=
nB (0.3 − x) (177 + 273) B1
--- (2)

Equating both equations give x = 0.05 m M1

Hence, piston will now be at midpoint of cylinder, 0.25 m from either end. A1

3(a) Since the plasma is in thermal equilibrium,

 Tproton = Telectron
 KEproton = KEelectron
 ½ mproton vproton,rms2 = ½ melectron velectron,rms2
9.11 10 −31
 v proton,rms =  (3.0  106 )2 M1
1.67  10−27
A1
= 7.0068  104 = 7.0  104 m s-1

(b) Using E = (3/2) kT for the electron,

 (3/2) k T = ½ melectron velectron,rms2
 T = melectron velectron,rms2 / (3k)
= 9.11  10-31  (3  106)2 / [3  1.38  10-23] M1
= 198043 = 2.0  105 K A1

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