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Question 19M.2.SL.TZ1.4b.i

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Date May 2019 Marks available [Maximum mark: 2] Reference code 19M.2.SL.TZ1.4b.i
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Show that Question number b.i Adapted from N/A
b.i.
[Maximum mark: 2]
19M.2.SL.TZ1.4b.i

A tube of constant circular cross-section, sealed at one end, contains an ideal gas trapped by a cylinder of mercury of length 0.035 m. The whole arrangement is in the Earth’s atmosphere. The density of mercury is 1.36 × 104 kg m–3.

When the mercury is above the gas column the length of the gas column is 0.190 m.

(b.i)

Show that (po + pm) × 0.190 = n R T A   where

po = atmospheric pressure

pm = pressure due to the mercury column

T = temperature of the trapped gas

n = number of moles of the trapped gas

A = cross-sectional area of the tube. 

[2]

Markscheme

use of PV = nRT and V = Area × (0.190) seen ✔

substitution of P = po + pm «re-arrangement to give answer»✔

Examiners report

This question was generally well answered. Most candidates took the time to show the set up and substitutions they used to derive the given expression. A small number of candidates attempted to “show that” by making unit substitutions - this is not acceptable for a question like this.