Question 9

NUMERICALMEDIUM

Two cylinders, both fitted with frictionless pistons, are filled with mixtures of He and Ar gases. In the first cylinder, the masses of He and Ar are m1m_1 and m2m_2, respectively. In the second cylinder, the masses of He and Ar are m2m_2 and m1m_1, respectively. The molar mass of Ar is 10 times the molar mass of He. The external pressure applied by the piston on the first cylinder needs to be 5 times that on the second cylinder so that the volume of the gas mixtures in both the cylinders are equal at the same temperature. Assuming He and Ar behave like ideal gases, the value of (m1/m2m_1/m_2) is ____.

Correct Answer: 9.8

Detailed Solution

Let the molar mass of He be MM. Then, the molar mass of Ar is 10M10M.

For the first cylinder:

Moles of He, nHe1=m1Mn_{He1} = \frac{m_1}{M}

Moles of Ar, nAr1=m210Mn_{Ar1} = \frac{m_2}{10M}

Total moles n1=m1M+m210M=10m1+m210Mn_1 = \frac{m_1}{M} + \frac{m_2}{10M} = \frac{10m_1 + m_2}{10M}

For the second cylinder:

Moles of He, nHe2=m2Mn_{He2} = \frac{m_2}{M}

Moles of Ar, nAr2=m110Mn_{Ar2} = \frac{m_1}{10M}

Total moles n2=m2M+m110M=10m2+m110Mn_2 = \frac{m_2}{M} + \frac{m_1}{10M} = \frac{10m_2 + m_1}{10M}

Using the ideal gas equation PV=nRTPV = nRT, at constant VV and TT, PnP \propto n.

Given P1=5P2P_1 = 5P_2, we have n1=5n2n_1 = 5n_2.

10m1+m210M=5(10m2+m110M)\frac{10m_1 + m_2}{10M} = 5 \left( \frac{10m_2 + m_1}{10M} \right)

10m1+m2=50m2+5m110m_1 + m_2 = 50m_2 + 5m_1

5m1=49m25m_1 = 49m_2

m1m2=495=9.8\frac{m_1}{m_2} = \frac{49}{5} = 9.8

Free Exam

Boost Your Exam Preparation!

Move beyond just reading solutions. Access our comprehensive Test Series, original Mock Tests, and interactive learning modules. Many premium tests are completely free!

  • Original Mocks & Regular Test Series
  • Real NTA-like Interface with Analytics
  • Many Free Tests Available