A pressure is applied to 2L of water. The volume is observed to decrease to 18.7 L. Calculate the applied pressure.

Applied pressure is 1.08 10⁵ Pa

Explanation:

This exercise is a direct application of Boyle's law, which is the application of the state equation for the case of constant temperature.

PV = nR T

If T is constant, we write the expression for any two points

Po Vo = p1V1

From the statement the initial pressure is the atmospheric pressure 1.01 10⁵ Pa, so we clear and calculate

1 Pa = 1 N / m2

P1 = Po Vo / V1

P1 = 1.01 10⁵ 20/18.7

P1 = 1.08 10⁵ Pa