The Relationship Between Pressure and Volume of a Gas

What is the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas?

How can we determine the new volume of a gas when the pressure changes?

Answer:

The relationship between pressure and volume of a gas is inversely proportional, according to Boyle's Law. When the pressure of a gas changes, its volume will also change accordingly.

Boyle's Law, formulated by Robert Boyle in the 17th century, states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume when the temperature is held constant. This means that as the pressure on a gas increases, its volume decreases, and vice versa.

The formula for Boyle's Law is P1V1 = P2V2, where P1 and V1 represent the initial pressure and volume of the gas, while P2 and V2 represent the final pressure and volume when a change occurs. By using this formula, we can calculate the new volume of a gas when the pressure changes.

For example, if a gas occupies a volume of 2.60 liters at a pressure of 1.00 atm, and the pressure is increased to 3.50 atm, we can use Boyle's Law to find the new volume. The calculation would be as follows:

V2 = P1V1 / P2 = (1.00 atm)(2.60 L) / 3.50 atm = 0.74 L

Therefore, when the pressure of the gas increases from 1.00 atm to 3.50 atm, its volume decreases from 2.60 liters to 0.74 liters, showcasing the inverse relationship between pressure and volume as described by Boyle's Law.