Chapter U3.60, Problem 5E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Whether the volume of a gas can be decreased to zero or not is to be explained.

Concept introduction: Matter is said to be anything that has the ability to occupy volume and has mass also.

Answer to Problem 5E

The volume of the gas cannot be zero. Gas is a matter and thus possesses the property of mass and occupies space.

Explanation of Solution

A decrease in temperature of the gas leads to a point where it converts to liquid state. The volume change becomes negligible on conversion of gas to liquid state. On further decrease in temperature, the gas further converts to solid state. Thus, the gas can never attain volume of zero. The gas is converted into the liquid state at a volume having value greater than zero. On extrapolating the graph in the opposite direction, it intersects the x-axis at a temperature of $-273.15°\text{C}$ .

  

In case the gas has not converted to liquid state then at this temperature the volume of the gas would have become zero. But in actual life, the gas is considered to be matter and matter has a property of occupying space.

Conclusion

The volume of the gas cannot be zero. Gas is a matter and thus possesses the property of mass and occupies space.