Gas Laws

Boyle’s Law

Boyle’s law states that the volume of a given mass of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure, if the
temperature remains constant.

Mathematical expression of Boyle’s law

V α 1/P (at constant temperature)

V = k/P

PV = K

Where P is the pressure of the gas, V is the volume of the gas and k ia a constant whose value depends
on the mass of the gas and temperature.

If the pressure is double the volume is halved and vice versa.

If the given mass of a gas occupies volume V1 at pressure P1 and volume V2 at pressure P2 at constant
temperature; P1V1 = K and P2V2 = K

Then P1V1 = P2V2

Graphical representation of Boyle’s law

Examples

1. Calculate the volume of which 22.4dm3 of a gas measured at the standard pressure (760mmHg)
would occupy at a pressure of 732mmHg. Assume constant temperature.
Solution
V1 = 22.4dm3, P1 = 760mmHg
V2 =? P2 = 732mmHg
Using Boyle’s law
P1V1 = P2V2
760 x 22.4 = 732 x V2
V2 = 760 x 22.4 / 732 = 23.26dm3
The gas will occupy the volume of 23.26dm3
2. At 300C, the volume of a certain mass of chlorine gas is 500cm3 at a pressure of 760mmHg.
What will be the pressure if its volume is reduced to 250cm3 at the same temperature?
Solution
V1 = 500cm3
P1 = 760mmHg
V2 = 250cm3
P2 =?
P1V1 = P2V2
760 x 500 = p2 x 250
760 x 500/250
P2 = 1520mmHg
Charles’ Law
Charles’ law states that the volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to the
temperature in Kelvin provided pressure remains constant.
Mathematical expression of Charles’ law
V α T (at constant pressure)
V = KT
V/T = K
Where V is volume of the gas and T is the temperature of the gas in kelvin
V1/T1 =K and V2/T2 = K
V1/T1 = V2/T2
Temperature in Kelvin or absolute scale of temperature = temperature in 0C + 273
Standard Temperature and Pressure
This is used widely as a standard reference point for expression of the properties and process of
an ideal gases. It is abbreviated as STP.
The standard temperature is the freezing point of water = o 0C or 273K
The standard pressure = 1 atmosphere = 760mmHg = 1.01325 x 10 5
Standard volume of 1 mole of an ideal gas at STP = 22.4 dm3 (also called Molar volume)
Graphical Representation of Charles’ Law

Worked Examples on Charles’ Law

1. A gas is kept at 2000C at a constant pressure. On decreasing the temperature by 100 0C, it
occupies a volume of 746cm3, find the original volume of the gas
Solution
V1=?
T1 = 2000C = 200 + 273 = 473K
V2 = 746cm3
T2 = 1000c = 100 + 273 = 373K
V1/T1 = V2/T2
V1/473 = 746/373
V1 = 746 x 473 / 373 = 946cm3
The original volume of the gas is 946cm3
General Gas Equation
This is the combination of both Boyle’s law and Charles’ law into a single expression
The general gas equation is given as ; P1V1 / T1 = P2V2/T2
Example
Hydrogen gas is collected over water at a pressure of 150mmHg and a temperature of 27 0C.
To what temperature should it be cooled so that it occupies half the volume of its original
volume when the pressure of the gas is 80 mmHg?
Solution
P1 = 150 mmHg
T1 = 270C = (27 + 273)K = 300K
P2 = 80 mmHg
T2 =?
Let V1 = 2 and V2 = 1
P1 V1/T1 = P2 V2/T2
150 x 1 / 300 = 80 x 2 / T2
150 x T2 = 80 x 2 x 300
T2 = 80x2x300/150
T2 = 320