To determine the temperature of dry ice using the readings from a constant volume gas thermometer filled with helium, we can apply the principles of gas laws, specifically the relationship between pressure and temperature. In a constant volume system, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature. This means that if we know the pressures at two different temperatures, we can find the unknown temperature using a simple ratio.
Understanding the Relationship
The relationship we are using is derived from the ideal gas law, which states that for a given amount of gas at constant volume, the pressure (P) is proportional to the temperature (T) in Kelvin. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
P1/T1 = P2/T2
Given Values
- P1 = 20.0 kPa (pressure at the triple point of water)
- T1 = 273.16 K (temperature at the triple point of water)
- P2 = 14.3 kPa (pressure at the temperature of dry ice)
- T2 = ? (temperature of dry ice in Kelvin)
Setting Up the Equation
We can rearrange the equation to solve for T2:
T2 = (P2 * T1) / P1
Substituting the Values
Now, let’s plug in the values we have:
T2 = (14.3 kPa * 273.16 K) / 20.0 kPa
Calculating the Temperature
Now we can perform the calculation step by step:
- Multiply P2 by T1: 14.3 kPa * 273.16 K = 3905.428 kPa·K
- Now divide by P1: 3905.428 kPa·K / 20.0 kPa = 195.2714 K
Final Result
The temperature of dry ice, T2, is approximately 195.27 K. To convert this to Celsius, we subtract 273.15:
T2 (in °C) = 195.27 K - 273.15 = -77.88 °C
Thus, the temperature of dry ice is around -77.88 °C. This value aligns well with the known sublimation point of dry ice, which is about -78.5 °C at atmospheric pressure, confirming the accuracy of our calculations.