Question 1

Which of the following best explains why air pressure decreases as altitude increases in Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Because there is less air (and thus less weight of air above) at higher altitudes, so the pressure exerted by the atmosphere decreases.

Question 2

A diver descends to a depth where the pressure of nitrogen above the blood increases. According to Henry’s Law, what happens to the amount of nitrogen dissolved in the diver’s blood?

Accepted Answer

It increases because the concentration of dissolved gas is directly proportional to the pressure above the liquid.

Question 3

A sealed syringe contains 40 mL of air at a pressure of 1 atm. If the plunger is pushed in until the volume is 20 mL (at constant temperature), what is the new pressure inside the syringe? (Assume ideal gas behavior.)

Accepted Answer

$$2$$ atm

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates Bernoulli’s Principle in action?

Accepted Answer

A shower curtain moving inward when water flows from the shower.

Question 5

If a carbonated drink is opened at high altitude (where atmospheric pressure is lower), what will happen compared to opening it at sea level, according to Henry’s Law?

Accepted Answer

More gas will escape (more fizz) because the pressure drop is greater relative to the dissolved gas.

Question 6

A weather balloon is released at sea level where the atmospheric pressure is $$101,300 Pa $$and the volume of the gas inside is $$1.0 m$^3. If $$the balloon rises to an altitude where the pressure is $$50,650 Pa $$and the temperature remains constant, what is the new volume of the gas inside the balloon?

Accepted Answer

$$2.0 m$^3$$

Question 7

Which of the following best describes why water boils at a lower temperature on top of a mountain compared to sea level?

Accepted Answer

The atmospheric pressure is lower, so less energy is needed for water molecules to escape into the air.

Question 8

A patient is given oxygen through a mask at a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure. According to Henry’s Law, what effect does this have on the amount of oxygen dissolved in the patient’s blood?

Accepted Answer

It increases because the concentration of dissolved oxygen is directly proportional to the pressure above the blood.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about gases is correct?

Accepted Answer

Gases are compressible and expand to fill their container because of weak intermolecular forces.

Question 10

A water gun is difficult to pull when the plunger is extended, creating a larger volume inside. Using Boyle’s Law, why is this the case?

Accepted Answer

The pressure inside the water gun decreases, so atmospheric pressure outside pushes against the plunger.

Question 11

An airplane wing is designed so that air moves faster over the curved top than the flat bottom. According to Bernoulli’s Principle, what is the result of this design?

Accepted Answer

The pressure above the wing is lower, and the higher pressure below generates lift.

Question 12

A 2.0 L sample of gas at 3.0 atm is allowed to expand to 6.0 L at constant temperature. What is the final pressure of the gas?

Accepted Answer

$$1.0$$ atm

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why your ears 'pop' when you quickly ascend in an airplane?

Accepted Answer

The pressure inside your ears increases faster than the outside pressure, causing a pressure imbalance.

Question 14

If the atmospheric pressure at sea level is $$101,300 Pa$$, what is this value in psi? (1 psi = 6,895 Pa)

Accepted Answer

$$14.7$$ psi

Question 15

A soda bottle is tightly sealed at a factory where the partial pressure of CO$$_2$$ above the liquid is high. When the bottle is opened at home, why does the soda fizz, according to Henry’s Law?

Accepted Answer

The pressure above the liquid drops, so less CO$$_2$$ can remain dissolved and it escapes as bubbles.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a correct application of Bernoulli’s Principle?

Accepted Answer

Explaining why a balloon expands when heated.

Question 17

A scuba diver must ascend slowly after a deep dive. Which law explains why ascending too quickly can cause nitrogen bubbles to form in the blood?

Accepted Answer

Henry’s Law

Question 18

If the pressure of a gas is doubled at constant temperature, what happens to its volume according to Boyle’s Law?

Accepted Answer

The volume is halved.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the troposphere?

Accepted Answer

It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from 0 to 10 km, where weather occurs.

Question 20

A balloon is filled with air and then placed in a vacuum chamber. What happens to the balloon, and why?

Accepted Answer

It expands because the pressure outside decreases, so the higher internal pressure pushes outward.

Gaseous Fluids: Properties, Laws, and Applications

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