Question

Pressurized carbon dioxide inflators can be used to inflate a bicycle tire in the event of a flat. These inflators use metal cartridges that contain 16.0 g of carbon dioxide.

At 305 K , to what pressure (in psi) can the carbon dioxide in the cartridge inflate a 3.90 L mountain bike tire? (Note: The gauge pressure is the difference between the total pressure and atmospheric pressure. In this case, assume that atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi.)

Answer 1

moles of Carbon dioxide = 16 / 44 = 0.364

temperature = 305 K

volume V = 3.90 L

P V = n R T

P x 3.90 = 0.364 x 0.0821 x 305

P = 2.34 atm

pressure = 2.34 atm

               = 34.3 psi

pressure = total pressure - atm presuure

               = 34.3 - 14. 7

              = 19.6 psi

               = 1.33 atm