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Chapter 5: Problem 22

A bag of potato chips is packed and sealed in Los Angeles, California, and then shipped to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, during ski season. It is noticed that the volume of the bag of potato chips has increased upon its arrival in Lake Tahoe. What external conditions would most likely cause the volume increase?

Short Answer

Expert verified
In conclusion, the main factor contributing to the increased volume of the potato chips bag shipped from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe during ski season is the altitude change, which causes a decrease in external atmospheric pressure. This leads to the volume of the gas inside the bag expanding as it tries to reach equilibrium with the surrounding pressure.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the changes in temperature and altitude

When traveling from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe in ski season, there will be changes in temperature and altitude. Los Angeles has a lower altitude and warmer temperature, whereas Lake Tahoe has a higher altitude and colder temperature during ski season.
02

Understand the effects of temperature

The volume increase of the bag of potato chips can be attributed to one main factor -- the change in temperature. Charles' law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature (assuming constant pressure and a constant amount of gas). As the temperature decreases, the volume of gas inside the bag will also decrease. If the volume of the bag of potato chips had increased, it would imply that the temperature increase was a key factor but in this case, temperature change isn't contributing to the volume increase since the bag goes from a warmer place to a colder one.
03

Understand the effects of altitude

Altitude is another factor that can affect the volume of the bag. The atmospheric pressure decreases as altitude increases. This means that at higher altitudes, the gas pressure inside the closed bag of chips is higher than the outside atmospheric pressure. The Second Law of Boyle states that the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure (assuming constant temperature and a constant amount of gas). As the external pressure decreases, the volume of the gas (the air inside the sealed potato chip bag) will expand as it seeks to reach equilibrium with the external pressure. This results in an increase of the bag's volume.
04

Conclusion

In conclusion, the main factor contributing to the increased volume of the potato chips bag shipped from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe during ski season is the altitude change, which causes a decrease in external atmospheric pressure. This leads to the volume of the gas inside the bag expanding as it tries to reach equilibrium with the surrounding pressure.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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