GAY-LUSSAC’S LAW (Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, 1778-1850)

“At constant volume, the pressure of a fixed amount of gas is directly proportional to its absolute
temperature”.

This means that as the pressure of a gas increases, the temperature also increases. If the pressure
decreases, the temperature also decreases. This pressure-temperature relationship is given by the equation

P1 = P2

T1 T2

Practical Application of Gay-Lussac’s Law

In hot summer days, the inflated tires of vehicles may burst. The bursting of tires is caused by Gay-
Lussac’s law. The inflated tires are under high pressure. When the temperature of the air rises, the pressure
of the gas in the tube increases. After an unbearable point, the tires fracture.