Question

The full volume of a bicycle pump is 437 mL. If the pressure inside the pump starts at 1.00 atm, what is the final pressure inside the pump if the volume is decreased to 125 mL while the valve is closed?

Answer 1

We can solve this problem using Boyle's law, which states that the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional at constant temperature. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:

P1V1 = P2V2

Where P1 and V1 are the initial pressure and volume, and P2 and V2 are the final pressure and volume.

Given:
P1 = 1.00 atm
V1 = 437 mL
V2 = 125 mL

Using the formula, we can solve for P2:

P2 = (P1 * V1) / V2
P2 = (1.00 atm * 437 mL) / 125 mL
P2 = 437 / 125 atm
P2 = 3.496 atm

Therefore, the final pressure inside the pump is approximately 3.496 atm when the volume is decreased to 125 mL while the valve is closed.