A container with a specific volume “V” changes to “2V.” What happens to the average distance between gas molec

Question

A container with a specific volume “V” changes to “2V.” What happens to the average distance between gas molecules? Assume that pressure and temperature of the gas remain constant.

GPT-5 mini · Answer

Use the typical estimate for mean spacing d ~ (V/N)^(1/3). From the ideal gas law N/V = p/(kT), so if p and T are held constant V/N = kT/p is constant. Therefore the average distance between molecules does not change.

(If instead the number of molecules N were fixed and V doubled, then d would increase by 2^(1/3) ≈ 1.26.)

(If instead the number of molecules N were fixed and V doubled, then d would increase by 2^(1/3) ≈ 1.26.)

A container with a specific volume “V” changes to “2V.” What happens to the average distance between gas molecules? Assume that pressure and temperature of the gas remain constant.

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