If a sealed syringe is heated, in which direction will the syringe plunger move?

Question

If a sealed syringe is heated, in which direction will the syringe plunger  move?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question involves a sealed syringe that contains gas inside the barrel with a movable plunger. When the syringe is heated, the gas inside absorbs heat, increasing its temperature and, because it is gas, its molecules move more vigorously and tend to occupy more space. Since the syringe is sealed and the plunger provides the boundary of the gas volume, the internal pressure rises and exerts force on the plunger.
Option 1: 'out' — This is the correct direction because the increasing gas pressure pushes the plunger toward the outside of the syringe, expanding the gas volume against the plunger. The plunger moves outward to accommodate the expanding gas.
Option 2: 'in' — This would require the internal pressure to push the plunger inward, decreasing the gas volume, which contradicts the increased pressure from heating.
Option 3: 'The plunger will not move.' — Heating a sealed gas should produce pressure that acts on the plunger; unless the plunger were fixed, movement is expected, so this statement is false.
Option 4: 'The direction cannot be predicted.' — In this setup, thermodynamics provides a clear expectation: heating a sealed gas increases pressure that pushes the plunger outward; thus, the direction is predictable, making this option incorrect.

Chemistry (H) - Varnold - Preparatory Academy - 2nd Semester - 2024/2025 Gases Practice Test for the Final

If a sealed syringe is heated, in which direction will the syringe plunger move?

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