Gas pressure will increase as the number of gas particles hitting the surface of a container increases. The temperature and volume of the gas will affect how much gas pressure is experienced.
Gas pressure
Definition
Gas pressure occurs when gas particles hit the surface of a container.
Increasing temperature will increase pressure
A temperature increase will cause particles to move quicker as they have more energy. This causes particles to:
1.
Particles will hit container walls more often.
2.
Particles will collide with each other more often.
These two impacts will cause a pressure increase.
Note: Increasing temperature will only increase pressure if the volume remains the same.
Decreasing volume will increase pressure
A decrease in volume will cause particles to squash together in a smaller space. Particles will hit the container walls more often and the pressure will increase.
As volume increases from left to right, the pressure decreases.
Example
Explain two ways gas pressure can be increased.
Increasing temperature will cause more collisions with the container walls and other particles due to an energy increase. Gas pressure will increase. Decreasing volume will squash up particles close together and will cause more collisions with the container walls. Gas pressure will increase. Or increasing pressure will lead to gas pressure increasing.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the volume of a gas when pressure increases?
If the pressure acting on a gas increases, the volume of the gas decreases as the particles are being squashed together.
What factors affect gas pressure?
Temperature and volume are factors that affect gas pressure.
What causes gas pressure?
Particles hit the walls of a container, causing gas pressure.