Question

Three closed containers each having a volume of 1 m${}^3$ contain 1 m${}^3$ of substance X, Y and Z. X is a solid, Y is a liquid and Z is a gas. X, Y and Z are then carefully transferred without spillage to another three closed containers having a volume of is 5 m${}^3$ each. The new volumes of X, Y and Z will be:

• A. X = Y= Z = 5 m${}^3$
• B. X = Y= Z = 1 m${}^3$
• C. X = 5 m${}^3$, Y = Z = 1 m${}^3$
• D. X = Y = 1 m${}^3$, Z = 5 m${}^3$

Answer 1

The correct option is D X = Y = 1 m${}^3$, Z = 5 m${}^3$

Solids and liquids have a definite volume, which means that substance X (solid) and Y (liquid) have fixed volumes and their volumes do not depend on the volume of container. So, when X and Y are transferred to the new containers, their volumes will be same as their initial volumes. So X = Y = 1 m${}^3$

Gases do not have a definite volume and occupy all the available space in the container. So, the volume of the gas depends on the volume of the container. When Z (gas) is transferred to the new container, it expands and takes up all the volume of the new container. So, volume of Z increases from 1 m${}^3$ to 5 m${}^3$. Therefore, Z = 5 m${}^3$