If a scuba tank (a rigid, sealed gas cylinder) heats up, the correct answer is:
c. The pressure exerted by the gas in the tank would increase.
Here's a brief explanation:
- According to Gay-Lussac's Law, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature when the volume of the gas is held constant (as it is in a rigid, sealed container). Therefore, as the temperature of the gas inside the scuba tank increases, the pressure will also increase.
The other options can be addressed as follows:
a. The size of the gas particles in the tank would increase.
- This is incorrect because the size of gas particles does not change with temperature; it is the kinetic energy of the particles that increases.
b. The density of the gas in the tank would increase.
- This is incorrect because, even though pressure increases, the density does not necessarily increase in a sealed container where the mass of gas remains constant.
d. The number of particles in the tank would increase.
- This is incorrect since a rigid, sealed tank does not allow for the addition of gas particles; the number of particles remains constant unless gas is added.
Thus, the most appropriate option regarding the effects of heating on a scuba tank is option c.
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