Example 2.4. What is the mass of air in a room of dimensions 6×9×3 m (19 ft, 8 in. ×29 ft, 6 in. ×9 ft, 10 in.) if the air temperature is 25°C (77°F) and the barometric pressure is 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi)?
Solution. The perfect gas equation which is applicable to air is
where p=pressure, Pa
ν=specific volume, m 3/kg
R=gas constant for air=287 J/kg·K
T=absolute temperature, K
Then the specific volume is:
The room has a volume of (6)(9)(3)=162 m 3 (5735 ft 3), so the mass of air contained in the room is: