Why is scientist Robert Hazen using pressure bombs to blow up minerals

Hazen uses small metal cylinders called pressure bombs to blast minerals with insanely high pressures and temperatures. He's using that knowledge to figure out how ancient minerals might have been involved in the evolution of the first primitive life-forms.

Explanation:

answer : (a) volume of the gas = 8.67 ×   l

                (b) second virial coefficient b = -1.21226 l/mole

solution :   given,     t = 300k

                                p = 20atm

                                z = 0.86

                                n = 8.2 mmoles = 8.2 × moles

                                r =   0.082 l atm/k/mol

        find,     (a) volume of gas   and (b) second virial coefficient b at 300k.

formula used :            

                          and            

(a)            

                    = \times 0.082\times 300}{20}[/tex]

                    = 8.67 ×   l

(b)      

                    = (0.00867-1) × 8.659

                    = - 8.5839 l/mole