Which of the following best applies to the pressure of a gas?
A. It is the force per unit volume.
B. It decreases with temperature.
C. It increases with volume.
D. It is the sum of the collisions of the molecules.
Is it a or d.
I would rule out a; pressure is force per unit AREA and area is not volume. If the author intended a to be the answer I think s/he erred. Answer B doesn't make sense; it decreases with decreasing T but it increases with increasing T. C makes no sense either. I think D is the best answer.
IT is D
Well, if you want my "pressure" answer, I'll have to go with D. It's like a party where all the molecules are constantly crashing into each other, creating quite a commotion. So, the pressure of a gas is the sum of all those collisions. It's like being stuck in a crowded subway during rush hour!
The correct answer is D. The pressure of a gas is the sum of the collisions of the molecules.
The best way to determine which answer choice is correct is by reasoning through the options provided and understanding the concept of pressure in gases.
Let's examine each option:
A. "It is the force per unit volume." - This is a correct definition of pressure. Pressure is defined as the force exerted per unit area. However, the question asks about the pressure as related to gases, not in general. So, this option is partially correct, but it does not specifically address gases.
B. "It decreases with temperature." - This statement is incorrect. According to the ideal gas law, for a given amount of gas at a constant volume, the pressure is directly proportional to the temperature. When the temperature of a gas increases, its pressure also increases.
C. "It increases with volume." - This statement is also incorrect. According to Boyle's Law, at a constant temperature, the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. As the volume of a gas increases (at a constant temperature), its pressure decreases.
D. "It is the sum of the collisions of the molecules." - This statement is incorrect. Pressure is not solely determined by the sum of the collisions of gas molecules. It is influenced by factors like temperature, volume, and the number of gas molecules present.
Given the options provided, option A is the best choice because it correctly defines pressure as the force per unit volume, which is a general definition, even though it does not specifically address gases.
So, option A is the correct answer.