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Q.139 Physics ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
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NEET 2020 Physics Question 139 Solution

Topic: Kinetic Theory · Official NTA Booklet Code E1
NEET 2020 Physics Question 139: Ideal Gas Density Equation: ρ = PM / (RT)

Question

A cylinder contains hydrogen gas at pressure of 249 kPa and temperature 27°C. Its density is: (R = 8.3 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹)

✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (2) : 0.2 kg/m3
📚 Kinetic Theory Easy
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Gas Hydrogen gas (H2, diatomic, M = 2 × 10^-3 kg mol^-1)
Pressure (P) 249 kPa = 249 × 10^3 Pa = 2.49 × 10^5 N m^-2
Temperature (T) 27 °C = 27 + 273 = 300 K
Gas Constant (R) 8.3 J mol^-1 K^-1
⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ "ρ = PM / RT = (249 × 10^3 × 2 × 10^-3) / (8.3 × 300) = 498 / 2490 = 0.2 kg/m3!"

⏱️ 25 seconds

The ideal gas density formula is ρ=PMRT\rho = \frac{PM}{RT}. Hydrogen gas is diatomic (H2H_2), so molar mass M=2 g/mol=2×10−3 kg/molM = 2\text{ g/mol} = 2 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg/mol}. The numerator is 249×103×2×10−3=498249 \times 10^3 \times 2 \times 10^{-3} = 498. The denominator is 8.3×300=24908.3 \times 300 = 2490. Dividing: ρ=4982490=15=0.2 kg/m3\rho = \frac{498}{2490} = \frac{1}{5} = 0.2\text{ kg/m}^3. Mark Option (2) in 10 seconds!

1 Formula: ρ = PM / (RT).
2 Convert to SI units: - P = 249 kPa = 249 × 10^3 Pa. - T = 27 + 273 = 300 K. - M(H2) = 2 g/mol = 2 × 10^-3 kg/mol. - R = 8.3 J mol^-1 K^-1.
3 Numerator = 249 × 10^3 × 2 × 10^-3 = 498.
4 Denominator = 8.3 × 300 = 2490.
5 Density ρ = 498 / 2490 = 1 / 5 = 0.2 kg/m^3.
6 Select Option (2) 0.2 kg/m^3.
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Physics · Kinetic Theory (Equation of State of a Gas: Density and Molecular Mass)
📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Derive Density Formula from Ideal Gas Law

Starting with the ideal gas law: PV=nRT=(mM)RTP V = n R T = \left(\frac{m}{M}\right) R T Rearranging for density ρ=mV\rho = \frac{m}{V}: ρ=PMRT\rho = \frac{P M}{R T}

Step 2

Express All Parameters in Standard SI Units

- Absolute Temperature: T=27∘C+273=300 KT = 27^\circ\text{C} + 273 = 300\text{ K} - Pressure: P=249 kPa=249×103 PaP = 249\text{ kPa} = 249 \times 10^3\text{ Pa} - Universal Gas Constant: R=8.3 J mol−1K−1R = 8.3\text{ J mol}^{-1}\text{K}^{-1} - Molar mass of hydrogen gas (H2\text{H}_2): M=2 g mol−1=2×10−3 kg mol−1M = 2\text{ g mol}^{-1} = 2 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg mol}^{-1}

Step 3

Perform Dimensional Calculation

ρ=(249×103 N m−2)×(2×10−3 kg mol−1)(8.3 J mol−1K−1)×(300 K)\rho = \frac{(249 \times 10^3\text{ N m}^{-2}) \times (2 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg mol}^{-1})}{(8.3\text{ J mol}^{-1}\text{K}^{-1}) \times (300\text{ K})} The factors of 10310^3 and 10−310^{-3} in the numerator cancel: Numerator=249×2=498 kg m−2\text{Numerator} = 249 \times 2 = 498\text{ kg m}^{-2} Denominator=8.3×300=2490 J K−1=2490 N m\text{Denominator} = 8.3 \times 300 = 2490\text{ J K}^{-1} = 2490\text{ N m} ρ=4982490=15=0.2 kg m−3\rho = \frac{498}{2490} = \frac{1}{5} = 0.2\text{ kg m}^{-3}

Step 4

Confirm Match

The calculated density is exactly 0.2 kg/m30.2\text{ kg/m}^3, matching Option (2).

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan
1 A
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; arithmetic error.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Dividing 2490 by 498 incorrectly.
2 B
✓ 100% Correct
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Factually and mathematically exact; ρ=4982490=0.2 kg/m3\rho = \frac{498}{2490} = 0.2\text{ kg/m}^3.

💡
Why this is airtight: None; clean cancellation.
3 C
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; using atomic hydrogen (M=1 g/molM = 1\text{ g/mol}) instead of molecular hydrogen (H2,M=2 g/molH_2, M = 2\text{ g/mol}).

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Using atomic mass of H (1 g/mol) instead of molar mass of H2 gas (2 g/mol).
4 D
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; off by a factor of 10 in decimal placement.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Power of 10 error in kPa conversion.
⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Hydrogen Gas is Diatomic H2!

Hydrogen in a cylinder is H2\text{H}_2 gas! Its molar mass is M=2×10−3 kg/molM = 2 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg/mol}, NOT 1×10−3 kg/mol1 \times 10^{-3}\text{ kg/mol}. Using 1 gives 0.1 kg/m30.1\text{ kg/m}^3 (Option 3, the trap!).

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Hydrogen gas = H2H_2 -> Molar mass = 2 g/mol = 0.002 kg/mol!
📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Physics · Kinetic Theory Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:

""

Syllabus Focus: Ideal Gas Density Equation: ρ = PM / (RT)
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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