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MCAT Chemistry – Ideal Gas Law

Increasing the pressure of a gas can result in all of the following changes EXCEPT:

A. a decrease in the velocity of the gas molecules
B. an increase in the ratio of the molecular volume to gas volume
C. an increase in temperature
D. a decrease in volume

Explanation

A. a decrease in the velocity of the gas molecules
B. an increase in the ratio of the molecular volume to gas volume
C. an increase in temperature
D. a decrease in volume

This question is testing your understanding of the ideal gas law: PV = nRT. According to the ideal gas law, pressure is proportional to moles of gas (n) and temperature (T) and inversely proportional to volume (V).

Therefore, increasing the pressure of a gas can result in a decrease in volume and an increase in the ratio of the molecular volume to gas volume, eliminating choices B and D. Additionally, increasing the pressure can result in an increase in temperature, and a corresponding increase in kinetic energy and velocity. Thus, A is the correct answer.

 

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