In a fixed-volume container, which statement best describes heating a gas?

In a fixed-volume container, which statement best describes heating a gas?

• A. The pressure will decrease.
• B. The pressure will increase.
• C. The pressure remains constant.
• D. The pressure becomes zero.

Answer: (B)

When a gas is heated in a fixed-volume container, the gas molecules move faster, causing more frequent and stronger collisions with the container walls. This raises the pressure. For an ideal gas, with volume and amount of gas constant, pressure is proportional to temperature (PV = nRT). So increasing temperature increases pressure. The other options don’t fit because heating cannot cause the pressure to decrease, stay constant, or drop to zero in a rigid container with a fixed amount of gas.

When a gas is heated in a fixed-volume container, the gas molecules move faster, causing more frequent and stronger collisions with the container walls. This raises the pressure. For an ideal gas, with volume and amount of gas constant, pressure is proportional to temperature (PV = nRT). So increasing temperature increases pressure. The other options don’t fit because heating cannot cause the pressure to decrease, stay constant, or drop to zero in a rigid container with a fixed amount of gas.