An enthusiastic car owner checks his tire pressure religiously and makes note that his tire pressure is 220 kPa in 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.7 degrees Celsius). A strong cold front comes in and later in the week the temperature has dropped to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 degrees celsius). How can the car owner use gas laws to calculate the new tire pressure (in kPA units) ?

202 KPa

Explanation:

Step 1:

Data obtained from the question.

Initial Pressure (P1) = 220 kPa

Initial temperature (T1) = 26.7°C

Final temperature (T2) = 2.2°C

Final pressure (P2) = ?

Step 2:

Conversion of the Celsius temperature to Kelvin temperature.

Temperature (Kelvin) = temperature (celsius) + 273

T1 = 26.7°C + 273 = 299.7 K

T2 = 2.2°C = 2.2°C + 273 = 275.2 K

Step 3:

Determination of the new pressure.

The new pressure of the tire can be obtained as follow:

P1/T1 = P2/T2

220/299.7 = P2/275.2

Cross multiply to express in linear form

299.7 x P2 = 220 x 275.2

Divide both side by 299.7

P2 = (220 x 275.2) / 299.7

P2 = 202 KPa

Therefore, the new pressure of the tire is 202 KPa