If a certain mass of mercury has a volume of 0.002 m3 at a temperature of 20°C, what will be the volume at 50°C?

A. 0.002010812m3

B. 0.004021624m3

C. 0.002021624m3

D. 0.000010812m3

The answer to this question lies in understanding the Combined Gas Law in chemistry, which combines Boyle's, Charles', and Gay-Lussac's gas laws. This law shows the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature of gases and is represented by the equation P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2. Changes in pressure (P) and volume (V) are directly proportional to one another, but these are inversely proportional to changes in temperature (T). This question must assume that pressure is constant, so the Ps cancel out and the equation becomes V1/T1 = V2/T2. Additionally, temperature should be converted to Kelvins (K) by adding 273 to the temperature in Celsius (so 20 C = 293 K, and 50 C = 323 K). If V1 = 0.002 and T1 = 293 and T2 = 323, then we solve the equation as V2 = T2*V1/T1 or V2 = (323*0.002) / 293, so the answer is approximately equal to 0.0022 ... or answer (C).