DESCRIBING

CHARLE’S
LAW USING
GRAPHS
Table of Contents
I. Guide Card…………..
1
II. Activity
Card……............14
III. Assessment
Card………...16
IV. Enrichment
Card………..17
 V. Answer
Card……………18
VI. Reference
Card………….19

Charle’s Law
GUIDE
CARD
The ability to visualize the behavior of individual gas particles in an enclosed space helps in
understanding the mechanism underlying Charles’ Law. The molecules that make up a gas are
moving in straight lines until they encounter another molecule, or a wall. When a molecule
encounters a wall, it bounces off and moves off in a different direction. When this happens,
Newton's Third Law of motion says that both the molecule and the wall will experience a force.
In a flexible container such as a balloon, molecules hitting the inside of the of the balloon are
what keep the balloon inflated. In a rigid, but adjustable container such as a sealed syringe, the
collisions of the moving gas molecules with the syringe walls provide the force that resists
efforts to move the syringe plunger.

Increasing the temperature of a volume of gas causes individual gas molecules to move faster. As
the molecules move faster, they encounter the walls of the container more often and with more
force. In an inflexible container, the more frequent and forceful collisions result in higher
pressure. However, if the container volume is adjustable, the volume will increase, and the
pressure will remain the same. Charles’ Law is the formal description of this relationship,
allowing change in volume to be calculated if the temperature change is known.

Key Concepts

 Charles' Law describes the relationship between the volume and temperature of a gas at
constant pressure.
 Charles' Law states that for a gas at constant pressure,
 Charles's Law is an experimental gas law which describes how gases tend to expand
when heated. A modern statement of Charles's law is:
When the pressure on a sample of a dry gas is held constant, the Kelvin temperature and
the volume will be directly related.

the volume, V, of a given quantity of gas is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of
the gas, T :

V ∝ T (in Kelvin)

So at constant pressure, if the temperature (in Kelvin) is doubled, the volume of gas is also
doubled.

 Charles' Law can be represented as mathematical equation:

For a quantity of gas at constant pressure:

V ÷ T(K) = a constant

or

V/T(K) = a constant

 At constant pressure for a given quantity of gas that undergoes a change in temperature
(or volume) :

Vi ÷ Ti (K) = Vf ÷ Tf (K)

or

Vi/Ti = Vf/Tf

Where:

Vi is the initial (original) volume

Ti is its initial (original) temperature (in Kelvin)

Vf is its final volme

Tf is its final tempeature (in Kelvin)

Vi and Vf must be in the same units of measurement (eg, both in litres)

Ti and Tf must be in Kelvin NOT celsius.

 All gases approximate Charles' Law at high temperatures and low pressures.1

A hypothetical gas which obeys Charles' Law at all temperatures and pressures is called an Ideal
Gas.

A Real Gas is one which approaches Charles' Law as the temperature is raised or the pressure
lowered.

This law describes how a gas expands as the temperature increases; conversely, a decrease in
temperature will lead to a decrease in volume.

Vary the temperature of the gas and records its new volume, at the new temperature. Get series
of values of V and T. Plot V and T values to get Charles' law graph.

Charles' Law Concepts

Consider the following experiment to measure the expansion of hydrogen gas:

 A known amount of hydrogen gas is drawn up into a syringe at -23oC and 100 kPa
pressure.
 The volume of hydrogen gas is recorded as 25 mL.
  The hydrogen gas in the syringe is then heated while maintaining a constant pressure of
100 kPa.
 The volume of hydrogen gas is recorded at various temperatures.
 The results of the experiment are shown in the table.

Is there a simply
relationship between
the temperature of a gas in °C
and its volume?

Let's try dividing volume by temperature and see, the results are in the table below:

No, there doesn't appear to be a simple relationship between the volume of the gas and its
temperature in °C.

But, what happens if we convert all the temperatures in °C to temperatures in kelvin (K)?

The table below shows the temperature conversions:

Is there now a simple relationship between volume of gas and its temperature in Kelvin?

The table below shows the results of dividing the volume of a gas by its temperature in Kelvin:
Yes, we can now see a clear relationship between the volume of this gas (V) and its temperature
in Kelvin (T) at a constant pressure of 100 kPa:

V ÷ T = 0.1

In general we could write:

V ÷ T = "a constant"

By rearranging this equation we can write:

V = "a constant" × T

Which is the equation for a straight line that goes through the origin (0,0) and has a slope (or
gradient) equal to the value of "a constant".

The points are plotted and the line is extrapolated back to 0 (volume = 0 mL and temperature = 0
K) in the graph below:

The graph of gas volume against temperature is a straight line.

We say that there is a linear relationship between the volume of a gas and its temperature at
constant pressure.
Extrapolation of the line back to (0,0) assumes that at temperatures below -23oC (250 K), the
linear relationship between volume and temperature will be maintained.

It is unlikely that this assumption will hold at very low temperatures for 100 kPa pressure as the
hydrogen is likely to condense into a liquid first.

The extrapolation of the graph actually suggests that at 0 K an ideal gas has no volume (0 mL on
our graph).

From the graph we see that:

 As the temperature increases, the volume of hydrogen gas increases in a linear fashion,
that is

V∝T

Using a constant of proportionality we can write an equation:

V = T × "constant"

Dividing both sides of the equation by volume (V) we arrive at:

T ="constant"

 The slope (gradient) of the straight line gives us the constant of proportionality.

slope (gradient) = change in volume ÷ change in temperature

Using any two points on the line we can calculate the slope (gradient)

for example, take the points (250, 25) and (450, 45), then

(slope (gradient) = (45 - 25) ÷ (450 - 250) = 0.1

for example, take the points (300, 30) and (400.5, 40), then

slope (gradient) = (40 - 30) ÷ (400.5 - 300) = 0.1

 Charles' Law equation for this expansion of hydrogen gas can then be written as:
V
T = 0.1

As long as we assume that the hydrogen gas continues to behave like an ideal gas, and that the
pressure and amount of gas does not change, then this equation can then be used to calculate the
(a) volume of hydrogen gas at any temperature:

V = 0.1 × T

(b) temperature of any volume of hydrogen gas :

T = 0.1 ÷ V

 This also means that for any 2 points on the line, (T1,V1) and (T2,V2):

V1

T1 = 0.1

and

V2

T2 = 0.1

So,

V1 V2

T1 = T2

And this is an important and useful general description of Charles' Law because it allows us to
calculate the volume of a gas after a temperature change (at constant pressure), or, the
temperature of a gas after its volume is changed (at constant pressure).

Calculations : Vi/Ti = Vf/Tf

Consider an experiment in which we have a known quantity of gas in vessel such as a syringe in
which the piston (plunger) can move freely up or down in order to change the volume occupied
by the gas.

In the beginning of an experiment, a known amount of gas at a specified pressure has

volume = Vi

temperature = Ti

In the beginning of the experiment,

Vi ÷ Ti = constant = k

The temperature of the gaseous system is then changed (the system is heated or cooled) while
constant pressure is maintained.

At the end of the experiment, the gas will have a different volume and a different temperature:

volume = Vf

temperature = Tf

As long as the amount of gas has not changed, and the pressure has not changed, then

Vf ÷ Tf = the same constant as at the beginning of the experiment = k

Therefore Vi ÷ Ti = k = Vf ÷ Tf

So Vi ÷ Ti = Vf ÷ Tf

This equation can then be rearranged to find the volume or temperature of a known amount of
gas at specified pressure during the course of an experiment:

Find the initial volume, Vi

Ti ×
Vi 
Vf 
=
Tf

Find the final volume, Vf

Vi ×
Vf 
Tf 
=
Ti

Find the initial temperature, Ti

Tf ×
Ti = Vi 
Vf

Find the final temperature, Tf

Ti ×
Tf 
Vf 
=
Vi
Worked Example of Charles' Law to Calculate Volume of Gas

Question : A sample of unknown gas had a volume of 1.2 L at 100oC and 100 kPa pressure. 
What would its volume be at 0oC at the same pressure?

Solution:

(Based on the StoPGoPS approach to problem solving.)

1. What is the question asking you to do?

Calculate final volume of gas 

Vf = ? L

2. What data (information) have you been given in the question?

Extract the data from the question:

Conditions: constant amount of gas and pressure (100 kPa).

Vi = 1.2 L

Ti = 100°C 
Convert temperature in °C to K 
Ti + 273 = 100 + 273 = 373 K

Tf = 0°C 
Convert temperature in °C to K 
Ti + 273 = 0 + 273 = 273 K

3. What is the relationship between what you know and what you need to find out?

Assume ideal gas behaviour.

Because the amount of gas and pressure are constant, we can use Charles' Law:

Vi  Vf 
=
Ti Tf

Multiply both sides of the equation by Tf:

Tf × = Tf ×
 Vi  Vf 
Ti Tf

Tf ×
Vi  = Vf
Ti

4. Substitute in the values and solve for Vf

V Tf × Vi 
=
f Ti

273
= ×1.2 
373

= 0.88 L

5. Is your answer plausible?

Consider that the gas is made up of particles in constant motion. 

If you cool the gas down from 100°C to 0°C the particles will have less kinetic energy,
they move about less. If the volume that contained the gas was fixed (constant), the
pressure exerted by the gas particles would be less. 
But, in our example, the volume of the container is not fixed (since we are asked to
calculate the new volume), so, in order to maintain the same gas pressure, the volume of
the container must decrease. 
Our calculated final volume of gas (0.88 L) is less than the initial volume of gas (1.2 L),
so we are reasonably confident that our answer is plausible.

6. State your solution to the problem "calulate final volume of gas":

Vf = 0.88 L

Worked Example of Charles' Law to Calculate Temperature of Gas

Question : A helium filled balloon had a volume of 75 L at 25oC. 

To what does the temperature, in Kelvin, need to be raised in order for the balloon to have a
volume of 100 L at the same pressure?

Solution:
(Based on the StoPGoPS approach to problem solving.)

1. What is the question asking you to do?

Calculate final temperature 

Tf = ? K

2. What data (information) have you been given in the question?

Extract the data from the question:

Conditions: constant amount of gas and pressure.

Vi = 75 L

Ti = 25°C 
Convert temperature in °C to K 
Ti + 273 = 25 + 273 = 298 K

Vf = 100 L

3. What is the relationship between what you know and what you need to find out?

Assume ideal gas behaviour.

Because the amount of gas and pressure are constant, we can use Charles' Law:

Vi  Vf 
=
Ti Tf

Multiply both sides of the equation by Tf:

Tf × Tf ×
Vi  = Vf 
Ti Tf

Tf ×
Vi  = Vf
Ti

Multiply both sides of the equation by Ti:

 Ti × Tf ×
Ti ×
Vi  =
Vf
Ti

Ti ×
Tf × Vi =
Vf

Divide both sides of the equation by Vi

Tf × V Ti ×
i  = Vf
Vi Vi

Ti ×
Tf = Vf 
Vi

4. Substitute in the values and solve for Tf

T Ti × Vf 
=
f Vi

298 ×
T
= 100 
f
75

= 397 K

5. Is your answer plausible?

Consider: V ∝ T (in K) 

Increasing the volume of gas increases its temperature (in order to maintain constant
pressure). 
Double the the volume and the temperature (in K) doubles. 
In the question the volume has increased by a factor of 100/75 = 1.333 
So the temperature must have increased by a factor of 1.333 
That is, final temperature = 1.333 × 298 = 397 K 
Since this is the same value as we calculated above, we are reasonably confident that our
answer is plausible.
6. State your solution to the problem "calculate final temperature in K ":

Tf = 397 K

ACTIVITY CARD
A. Multiple Choice
Choose the letter of the correct answer

1. According to Charles' law, as the temperature of a given sample of gas at constant

pressure is increased, the volume will:
a. Increase
b. Remain the same
c. Decrease
d. both increase and decrease
2. What must remain constant if Charles' law is to be applied to a given sample of a gas?
a. Pressure
b. Volume
c. Temperature
d. Mass
3. What temperature scale must be used when applying Charles' law?
a. Celsius
b. Fahrenheit
c. Kelvin
d. All of the above
4. To convert a Celsius temperature to Kelvin, you would:
a. Subtract 273.15
b. add 273.15
c. do nothing, as the two scales are equivalent
d. Subtract and add
5.According to Charles' law, volume and temperature vary
a. Directly
b. Proportionally to the square
c. inversely
d. diversely
6. The temperature at which the volume of a gas theoretically becomes zero is:
a. Subliming point
b. freezing point
c. absolute zero
d. equilibrium
7. 35°C is equal to
a. 35k
b. 308k
c. -238k
d. 207k
8.420 mL of a gas at 25.0°C is compressed to 210 mL. What is the temperature of the gas
after compression?
a. 12.5 degrees Celsius
b. 149 Kelvin
c. 273 Kelvin
d. 6.3 degrees celsius
9. A sample of helium gas is heated from 20.0°C to 40.0°C. This heating process causes
the gas to expand to a volume of 585 mL. What was the original volume of the helium
gas?
a. 625 ml
b. 292 ml
c. 548 ml
d. 455 ml
10. What is a mathematical expression of Charles' Law?
a. T1/V1=T2/V1
b. V1/T2=V2/T1
c. V1/T1=V2/T2
d. V1T2=V2/T1
 ASSESSMENT CARD
B. True or False
Tell whether the statement is true or false.

1. In order for the relationsip between temperature and volume described by Charles' Law to
work, temperature must be expressed through Kelvin (K).

2. According to Charles' Law change in the volume of a gas in a closed container is inversely
proportional to changes in temperature

3. The force holding the walls of an inflated balloon open is the static forces pushing the
walls of the balloon apart.

4. Decreasing the temperature of a closed container of gas will cause the volume to decrease.

5. At constant pressure, the volume of a gas doubled when the absolute temperature doubles.

6. In Charle's law temperature remains constant.

7. Charle's law defines value of 'k' as v/v

8. Charle's law was given by French Scientist.

9. According to Charles' Law, if pressure is held constant, as the temperature of a gas

increases, the volume decreases.

10. If pressure is held constant, the Kelvin temperature and the volume of a gas are directly
proportional.
 ENRICHMENT CARD
C. Identification
Supply the following sentences with the missing word.

1. Between temperature and volume of gas Charle's law determines__________.

2. Charles' Law states that for a gas at________ pressure
3. When the pressure on a sample of a dry gas is held constant, the Kelvin temperature
and the________ will be directly related.
4. the volume, V, of a given quantity of gas is directly proportional to the absolute
temperature of the________.
5. The equational symbol Vf stands for ________.
6. The equational symbol Vi stands for ________.
7. The equational symbol Tf stands for ________.
8. If the air inside a balloon is heated, the volume will ________.
9. Increasing the temperature of a volume of gas causes individual_________ to move
faster.
10. Newton's Third Law of motion says that both the_________ and the wall will
experience a force.
 ANSWER KEY
A. Multiple Choice
1. a
2. a
3. c
4. b
5. a
6. c
7. b
8. b
9. c
10. c
B. True or False
1. True
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
9. False
10. True
C. Identification
1. quantitative relationship
2. constant
3. volume
4. gas
5. final volme
6. initial volume
7. final tempeature (in Kelvin)
8. Increase
9. gas molecules
10. molecule

REFERENCE CARD
https://socratic.org/questions/how-can-i-graph-charles-law
http://www.ausetute.com.au/charslaw.html
http://scienceprimer.com/charles-law