Figure 1 shows a fixed mass of gas inside a cylinder with a movable piston - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 2
Figure 1 shows a fixed mass of gas inside a cylinder with a movable piston.
(i) Describe, in terms of gas particles, how the gas exerts a pressure on the cylinder. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 1 shows a fixed mass of gas inside a cylinder with a movable piston - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe, in terms of gas particles, how the gas exerts a pressure on the cylinder.
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Answer
Gas particles are in continual motion and frequently collide with the walls of the container. When these particles collide, they exert a force on the walls, resulting in pressure. The more gas particles that collide with the walls, the greater the pressure exerted.
Step 2
State what happens to the pressure the gas exerts on the cylinder when the volume of gas is reduced, as in Figure 2.
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Answer
The pressure of the gas increases as the volume is reduced. This is because the gas particles collide more frequently with the walls of the cylinder when they are contained in a smaller space.