Calculate Pressure of Air in a Cylinder

In summary, the conversation discusses the process of collapsing a cylinder with a diameter of 4cm and height of 12cm to half of its original height while pressurizing it. The question is raised about what the resulting pressure would be, taking into consideration factors such as temperature and the Ideal Gas Law. The response mentions the need to consider the method of compression, as it will affect both the temperature and pressure of the gas. Different equations may be used for different compression processes.
  • #1
smeating
1
0
I am starting out with a cylinder that measures 4cm diameter and height is 12cm with the air being under no pressure. I then want to colapse the cylinder down to half of it's original height, pressurizing the cylinder. Can someone tell me what the pressure would be.

Thanks in advance for any help

cheers,
 
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  • #2
You may need to consider things like temperature, too - Google the Ideal Gas Law and read about the assumptions made for an Ideal Gas, then search for the Combined Gas Law, which is really probably what you're looking for.

-Kerry
 
  • #3
KLoux said:
You may need to consider things like temperature, too - Google the Ideal Gas Law and read about the assumptions made for an Ideal Gas, then search for the Combined Gas Law, which is really probably what you're looking for.

-Kerry

This depends on the method of compression. If it is compressed rapidly, (i.e. adiabatically) both the temperature and pressure will increase. If the gas is allowed to return to the temperature it was before compression, the pressure will be different than in the previous example. There are different equations for each process (adiabatic and isothermal).
 

FAQ: Calculate Pressure of Air in a Cylinder

How do you calculate the pressure of air in a cylinder?

To calculate the pressure of air in a cylinder, you can use the formula: P = F/A, where P is the pressure, F is the force exerted on the air, and A is the area of the cylinder's cross-section. You can also use the ideal gas law, PV = nRT, where P is the pressure, V is the volume of the cylinder, n is the number of moles of air, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

What factors affect the pressure of air in a cylinder?

The pressure of air in a cylinder is affected by several factors, including the volume of the cylinder, the temperature of the air, the number of moles of air, and the force exerted on the air. Additionally, the type of gas in the cylinder and any external pressure or compression can also impact the overall pressure.

How can you measure the pressure of air in a cylinder?

The pressure of air in a cylinder can be measured using a pressure gauge or a manometer. A pressure gauge is a device that measures the force exerted on a unit area of the gauge. A manometer measures the difference in pressure between the air inside the cylinder and the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

What are some real-world applications of calculating the pressure of air in a cylinder?

Calculating the pressure of air in a cylinder can be useful in a variety of industries, such as in scuba diving to determine the amount of air left in a tank, in manufacturing to ensure proper air pressure in pneumatic systems, and in automotive engineering to optimize fuel efficiency. It can also be used in weather forecasting and in the study of atmospheric pressure.

How does the pressure of air in a cylinder change with altitude?

The pressure of air in a cylinder decreases with increasing altitude. This is because as altitude increases, the air becomes less dense and there is less air above pushing down on the air in the cylinder. This decrease in pressure can also impact the temperature and volume of the air in the cylinder due to changes in the ideal gas law.

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