Question

Two flasks have the same gas at the same initial temperature T and pressure P. The volume V1 of the flask #1 is much bigger than the volume V2 of the second flask (V1>V2). The flasks are connected by a narrow glass tube which has a drop of liquid mercury. Because the pressure in each flask is the same, the drop of mercury is at equilibrium exactly in the middle of the glass tube. Would the drop of mercury move to either side if both flasks were heated up to the same higher temperature Thigher? The volume of the glass tube is neglibly small in comparison to the flask volumes. Therefore, the position of the mercury drop simple serves as an indicator of the pressure difference btwn flask #1 and 2.

Will the drop of mercury move to flask 1, flask 2, or stay at the center?

Answer 1

In the given question, It seems everything is constant for both flasks except Volume of the flask. Therefore, to explain the change we consider the volume of the flask as a reference.

Container:1 Container:2

Intial conditions T, P = T, P

V₁ > V₂

Final conditions Temperature is increased to T₁ .

As every macroscopic property is constant except temperature and volume, we can take the reference of Ideal gas law to explain the Pressure change in the two containers.