Chapter 14, Problem 11STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The distribution of gas between the bulbs needs to be explained when the system reaches equilibrium.

Concept Introduction: If different gases are placed in containers or bulbs connected, the movement of gaseous particles from one container to other takes place. At equilibrium, the distribution of gases within the system is such that each container or bulb will have an equal number of gaseous particles.

Explanation of Solution

There are different gases in bulb A and bulb C. In bulb B, there is no gas. After opening the valves between the bulbs, the distribution of gaseous particles takes place. The distribution is such that gas particles from bulb A will move to bulbs B and C and gas particles from bulb C will move to bulbs A and B. An equilibrium will be reached when each bulb has the same number of gas particles. From the given picture, both bulb A and bulb b initially have 12 particles of gas. Let the gas particles present in bulb A be A and that in bulb B be B.

Therefore, at equilibrium, each bulb will have 4 gas particles (2 each from bulb A and bulb B).