You just calibrated a constant volume gas thermometer. The pressure of the gas inside the thermometer is 294.0 kPa when the thermometer is in contact with boiling water. The boiling water is under regular atmospheric pressure. What is the temperature of the thermometer, when it reads a pressure of 500.0 kPa?

Answer: 361° C

Explanation:

Given

Initial pressure of the gas, P1 = 294 kPa

Final pressure of the gas, P2 = 500 kPa

Initial temperature of the gas, T1 = 100° C = 100 + 273 K = 373 K

Final temperature of the gas, T2 = ?

Let us assume that the gas is an ideal gas, then we use the equation below to solve

T2/T1 = P2/P1

T2 = T1 * (P2/P1)

T2 = (100 + 273) * (500 / 294)

T2 = 373 * (500 / 294)

T2 = 373 * 1.7

T2 = 634 K

T2 = 634 K - 273 K = 361° C