Which of the following parameters affect the zero temperature? a) Neither the type of gas nor the initial pressure b) The initial pressure c) The type of gas d) Both the type of gas and the initial pressure MEW theory
The correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: a) Neither the type of gas nor the initial pressure
Explanation (based on MEW Theory and Gas Laws):
MEW theory—which stands for Modern Equation of the state of gas or is more often associated with ideal and real gas behavior—aligns with classical thermodynamic concepts, especially when discussing zero temperature, which refers to absolute zero (0 K or –273.15°C).
At absolute zero, a gas is theorized to have no kinetic energy—its particles would be at complete rest. This is a universal limit and forms the foundation of the Kelvin temperature scale.
1. Why not dependent on type of gas?
According to Charles’s Law, at constant pressure, the volume of an ideal gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature: V∝TV \propto T
When this relationship is extrapolated back to zero volume, the temperature reached is the same for all ideal gases—–273.15°C. This implies that absolute zero is independent of the type of gas, which is consistent with both experimental data and theoretical physics.
2. Why not dependent on initial pressure?
Absolute zero is a theoretical construct derived from the behavior of gases when cooled, regardless of their starting conditions. Even though pressure influences the state of a gas (per the Ideal Gas Law: PV=nRTPV = nRT), the temperature at which kinetic energy becomes zero remains constant. Hence, varying the initial pressure of a gas changes the curve’s steepness but not the temperature intercept.
Conclusion:
Both the type of gas and the initial pressure affect how a gas behaves at higher temperatures, but neither influences the absolute zero point, where all molecular motion ceases. This conclusion aligns with both MEW theory and the broader framework of thermodynamics.
Thus, the correct choice is: (a) Neither the type of gas nor the initial pressure.
