A vertical piston-cylinder device contains a gas at a pressure of 100 kPa. The piston has a mass of 10 kg and a diameter for 14 cm. Pressure of the gas is to be increased by placing some weights on the piston. Determine the local atmospheric pressure and the mass of the weights that will doublethe pressure of the gas inside the cylinder.

the local atmospheric pressure is  93.63 kPa

the mass of the weights is 156.9 kg

Explanation:

Given that;

Initial pressure of gas = 100 kPa

mass of piston = 10 kg and diameter = 14 cm = 0.14 m

g = 9.81 m/s²

Now,

P_gas = P_atm + P_piston

100 = P_atm + P_piston let this equation 1

P_piston = M_piston × g / A = (10 × 9.81) / π/4×d²

P_piston = 98.1 / (π/4×( 0.14 )²)

P_piston = 98.1 / 0.01539 = 6374,269 Pa = 6.37 kPa

now, from equation 1

100 = P_atm + P_piston

we substitute

100 = P_atm + 6.37

P_atm = 100 - 6.37

P_atm = 93.63 kPa

Therefore, the local atmospheric pressure is  93.63 kPa

Now for pressure of the gas in the cylinder ⇒ 2×initial pressure

Pgas_2 = 2 × 100 = 200 kPa

Pgas_2 = P_atm + P_piston + P_weight

Pgas_2 =  P_gas  + P_weight

we substitute

200 kPa =  100 kPa  + P_weight

P_weight =  200 kPa -  100 kPa

P_weight = 100 kPa =  100,000 Pa

Also;

P_weight = M×g / A

100,000 Pa = ( M × 9.81 ) / (π/4 × (0.14)²)

100,000 × 0.01539 = M × 9.81

1539 = M × 9.81

M = 1539 / 9.81

M = 156.9 kg

Therefore, the mass of the weights is 156.9 kg

and 1and 1

d. air pressure decreases as altitude increases.