Question

Aerosol cans have a label that warns the user not to use them above a certain temperature and not to dispose of them by incineration. Even an empty can contains residual gaseous propellant. For example, the residual pressure in a can is 1.51 atm when it is sitting on a shelf at 23 ∘C. If the can is placed on top of the furnace where the temperature reaches the boiling point of water, what is the pressure inside the can?

Answer 1

Since The volume of the can remains constant then

According to Lussac's Law, At constant volume , Pressure of a gas is directly proportional to the temperature.

i.e. P T

For two different conditions,

P₁/P₂ = T₁/ T₂

Now, given that, Initial Pressure (P₁) = 1.51 atm

Initial temperature (T₁) = 23 ^oC = 23 + 273.15 = 296.15 K

Final temperature (T₂) = 100^oC = 100 + 273.15 = 373.15 K

Thus, P₂ = P₁ * T₂ / T₁ = (1.51 atm * 373.15 K) /296.15 K = 1.90 atm

Hence, Pressure inside the can = 1.90 atm