General Contractor Practice Exam

According to gas laws, what happens when two gases occupy the same space?

1. Compressed gases explode

2. Combined glass fills the same volume

3. Temperature rises significantly

4. Gases evaporate quickly

The correct answer is: Combined glass fills the same volume

When two gases occupy the same space, they do not behave like liquids or solids, which may not mix uniformly. Instead, gases mix completely and uniformly, regardless of their different identities or properties. This blending occurs because gas particles are in constant motion and are widely spaced apart, allowing them to collide and spread throughout the volume available. The concept that combined gases will fill the same volume correlates with the principles outlined in gas laws. For instance, according to Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures, in a given volume, each gas in the mixture contributes to the total pressure as if it were the only gas occupying the volume. It implies that when two or more gases are in the same space, they coexist simultaneously, demonstrating the nature of gases to uniformly occupy all available volume. Therefore, the understanding that the combined gas fills the same volume aligns with fundamental gas laws and showcases the uniqueness of gases compared to other states of matter. In contrast, the other options suggest different phenomena that do not accurately represent or describe the behavior of gases when combined. Hence, the answer reflects a true and essential understanding of gas behavior under such conditions.