Question

5. The gases in a hair spray can are at a temperature of 37 °Cand a pressure of 5.6 atm. If the gases in the can reach apressure of 4.4 atm, the can will explode. To what temperaturemust the gases be raised in order for the can to explode?

Answer 1

Step 1

Gay-Lussac's law is applied here.

The volume here is assumed constant.

Mathematically:

P1/T1 = P2/T2 (1)

These variables must be absolute

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Step 2

Data provided here:

P1 = 5.6 atm

T1 = 37 °C + 273 = 310 K

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P2 = 4.4 atm

T2 = unknown

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Step 3

T2 is cleared from (1):

T2 = P2/P1 x T1 = 4.4 atm/5.6 atm x 310 K = 244 K

Answer: T2 = 244 K = -29 °C