Boyle’s law states that the pressure of a fixed mass of a gas is inversely proportional to volume

provided that the temperature is kept constant.

Symbolically,

P c 1/V

P= k/V, K=PV ,where P=pressure, V=volume, k=proportionality constant.

P1V1=P2V2

Charles' law states that the volume of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to the
absolute temperature provided that the pressure is kept constant.

Symbolically,

VcT

V=kT, k= V/T

V1/T1=V2/T2

Where V1= volume of gas at T1,

V2= volume of gas at T2

Cubic expansivity of a gas ( ) is the increase in volume per unit volume at 0°C per degree rise in
temperature.

= Vt-V0/V0t

1/273= Vt-V0/V0t

or Vt= V0(1+t/273)=V0(273+t/273)

Recall, T(K)=273+t°C. So,

Vt=V0(T/273). Since V0/273 is constant, we can state that V c T.

Pressure's law or Gay Lussac’s law states that the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is directly
proportional to the absolute temperature provided that the volume remains constant.

Symbolically,

PcT

P=kT, k= P/T or P1/T1=P2/T2.

Pt= P0(1+t/273) where P0=Pressure at 0°C and Pt=pressure at temperature t°C.

Gamma =increase in pressure from 0°C/pressure at 0°C x temperature rise.

Gamma=Pt-P0/P0x t or Pt=P0(1+t/273)

Since, gamma=1/273, then Pt=P0/273(273+t)

Pt=P0T/273, since P0 and 1/273 are constant, we can write that P c T.

General (Ideal) Gas Law

This is the relationship between volume (V), pressure(P) and temperature(T) of a given mass of
gas. By combination of BOYLE’S, Charles' and Gay Lussac’s laws, we obtain the relation: PV c
PV/T=constant or PV=RT

P1V1/T1=P2V2/T2 where P1= Initial pressure, P2= Final pressure, V1=Initial volume, V2= Final
volume, T1= Initial temperature, T2= Final temperature, R= General (universal) gas constant.

For one of mole of a gas, R is the same for all gases. R= General (universal) gas constant. But if
'n' miles are present, then PV=nRT. Examples:

500cm³ of a gas is collected at 0°C and at pressure of 72cmHg, what is the volume of
the gas at the same temperature and your at a pressure of 76cmHg.

Solution:

Initial volume (V1)=500cm³, Final volume (V2)=?, Initial pressure (P1)=72cmHg, Final pressure
(P2)=76cmHg.

From Boyle’s law

P1V1=P2V2

72 x 500= 76 x V2

V2=36000/76

V2=473.7cm³

Dry oxygen is trapped by a pellet of mercury in a uniform capillary tube which is scaled at
one end. The length of the column of oxygen at 27°C is 50cm. If the pressure of the
oxygen is constant at what temperature will the length be 60cm.

Solution:

Initial temperature (T1)= 27°C +273K=300K, Final temperature(T2)=?, Initial volume (V1)=
(50xA)cm³, Final volume (V2)=(60xA)cm³. Where A=Area

V1/T1 =V2/T2

50xA/300=60xA/T2

T2=300x60xA/50xA=360K

Hence, T2=360K

A gas which obeys Charles' law exactly, has a volume of 283K at 10°C. What is its
volume at 30°C?

Solution:
Initial volume (V1)=283cm³, Final volume (V2)=?, Initial temperature
(T1)=30°C+273K=283K, Final temperature (T2)=303K

V1/T1=V2/T2

V2=283x303/283=303K

V2=303K

A gas is 70cm³ at a temperature of 15°C and 750mmHg. Calculate the volume at

standard temperature pressure (S.T.P).

Solution:

Initial volume (V1)=70cm³, Final volume (V2)=?, Initial temperature (T1)=15+273K=288K,

Final temperature (T2)=273K, Initial pressure (P1)=750mmHg, Final pressure
(P2)=760mmHg

P1V1/T1=P2V2/T2

V2=750x70x273/288x760

V2=14332500/218880

V2=65.5cm³.

If the pressure of a constant volume of gas is 70cmHg at 20°C. Find the pressure at
50°C.

Solution:

Initial pressure (P1)=70cmHg, Final pressure (P2)=?, Initial temperature

(T1)=20°C+273K=293K, Final temperature (T2)= 50°C+283K=323K.

P1/P2=T1/T2

P2=70x323/293=22610/293=77.2cmHg

P2=77.2cmHg

Calculate the pressure of water at the bottom of the dam 400m deep, if the density of
water is 1000kg/m³(g=10.0m/s²).

Solution:

Height or depth of water in the dam(h)=400m, density of water (p)=1000kg/m³,

acceleration due to gravity (g)=10.0m/s².

From hydrostatic pressure

P=hpg=400x1000x10=4000000N/m²

P=4x106N/m².
 APPLICATIONS OF GAS AND ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURES

The siphon is a device used to remove liquids from receptacles which cannot be
otherwise emptied conveniently.

The syringe is a device consisting of a piston, which fits tightly into a cylinder. It is
commonly used for injecting liquid medicine into the body.

Bicycle pump is a compression pump used to compress air from the atmosphere into a
bicycle Tyre.

Lift pump is a device for raising water from well, or for lifting kerosene from a tall tank.