A gas occupies a volume of 502 cm3 at 20.0 C. What will be its volume at 106 C?
I understand that it follows Charles' Law where the correct equation is V1/T1=V2/T2. My teacher expects all units of volume to be converted to Liters and all temperature to Kelvins. Using Celsius provides the answer of 2.22 L while Kelvins provides 0.649 l. Using Celsius gives a much more reasonable answer since volume increases proportionately to temperature. Are her instructions using Kelvins justified? I have converted pressure to atmospheres and volume to Liters and receive reasonable answers or answeres identical when not converting.
1 answer
You logic is good but logic based on false assumptions is useless and leads down the wrong path. It is true that volume is proportional to temperature BUT IT IS TEMPERATURE IN KELVIN and not temperature in celsius. That's why you convert C to kelvin. As for the conversion to L, that is a personal preference of your teacher. Using cc for V1 will give units of cc for V2. Using L for V1 will give units of L for V2. For this problem 0.649 L is the correct answer.