Which gas law describes a relationship where pressure decreases as volume increases at constant temperature?

Study for the Chemistry for Engineers Test. Enhance your knowledge with multiple choice questions and in-depth explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which gas law describes a relationship where pressure decreases as volume increases at constant temperature?

Explanation:
Pressure and volume are inversely related when the amount of gas is fixed and the temperature stays the same. If you increase the volume, gas molecules collide with the container walls less often, so the pressure drops; if you compress the gas to a smaller volume, collisions become more frequent and pressure rises. This exact inverse behavior at constant temperature is described by Boyle's Law, which states that pressure is proportional to one over volume (P ∝ 1/V) and that the product PV remains constant for a given amount of gas at a fixed temperature. The broader formula PV = nRT covers more variables (amount of gas and temperature), but the specific situation described—pressure decreasing as volume increases at constant temperature—is the hallmark of Boyle's Law. STP is just a reference condition, not a gas law.

Pressure and volume are inversely related when the amount of gas is fixed and the temperature stays the same. If you increase the volume, gas molecules collide with the container walls less often, so the pressure drops; if you compress the gas to a smaller volume, collisions become more frequent and pressure rises. This exact inverse behavior at constant temperature is described by Boyle's Law, which states that pressure is proportional to one over volume (P ∝ 1/V) and that the product PV remains constant for a given amount of gas at a fixed temperature. The broader formula PV = nRT covers more variables (amount of gas and temperature), but the specific situation described—pressure decreasing as volume increases at constant temperature—is the hallmark of Boyle's Law. STP is just a reference condition, not a gas law.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy