Related Formula
From the Ideal Gas Law equation:
P V = n R T P = (n R T)/(V)$$P V = n R T \implies P = \frac{n R T}{V}$$
Core Logic
Given that both vessels possess the same volume (VA = VB$V_A = V_B$) and identical temperature states (TA = TB$T_A = T_B$), the ratio of pressure reduces directly to:
(PA)/(PB) = (nA)/(nB)$$\frac{P_A}{P_B} = \frac{n_A}{n_B}$$
where nA$n_A$ and nB$n_B$ are the number of moles of Hydrogen and Oxygen respectively.
Step 1: Calculate the Number of Moles
For Hydrogen (H₂$H_2$, molar mass = 2 ~g/mol$2 \mathrm{~g/mol}$):
nA = (1)/(2)$$n_A = \frac{1}{2}$$
For Oxygen (O₂$O_2$, molar mass = 32 ~g/mol$32 \mathrm{~g/mol}$):
nB = (1)/(32)$$n_B = \frac{1}{32}$$
Step 2: Find the Pressure Ratio
Substituting mole counts into the direct ratio:
(PA)/(PB) = (1/2)/(1/32) = (32)/(2) = 16$$\frac{P_A}{P_B} = \frac{1/2}{1/32} = \frac{32}{2} = 16$$
Therefore, the pressure ratio (PA)/(PB)$\frac{P_A}{P_B}$ is 16$16$.
Pattern Recognition
For gas mixtures or vessel comparisons under constant volume and temperature, pressure matches the molar abundance directly (P ∝ n$P \propto n$). Remember that standard elementary gases (H₂, O₂, N₂$H_2, O_2, N_2$) exist as diatomic configurations when defining molar values.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Kinetic Theory of Gases