The European Nations ability to harness the power

1
of nature through science resulted in the industrial
Chapter

Gas Laws revolution in the late 18th century. The steam

engine plays a major part in this revolution and the
gas laws are central this development.
 Absolute zero corresponds to −273.15 °C.

The Kelvin temperature scale is related to the Celsius temperature

scale as follows:

T/ K = θ / °C + 273

θ refers to the temperature in Celsius scale

T refers to the temperature in Kelvin scale.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

Chapter 13: Gas Laws
 Boyle’s Law
The pressure of a gas with fixed mass and fixed
temperature is inversely proportional to its volume.

PV = k
where P is the pressure,
V is the volume for a fixed mass of gas, and
k is a constant.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 Charles’ Law
The volume of a gas with fixed mass and fixed pressure is
directly proportional to its temperature.

V
=k
T
where V is the volume,
T is the temperature (Kelvin) for a fixed mass of gas, and
k is a constant.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 Pressure Law
The pressure of a gas with fixed mass and fixed volume is
directly proportional to its temperature.

P
=k
T
where P is the pressure,
T is the temperature (Kelvin) for a fixed mass of gas, and
k is a constant.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 The Gas Thermometer

A constant volume is maintained by adjusting the height, h, of

the mercury manometer. The pressure of the gas is given by:

P = A + hρg

where
A is the atmospheric pressure,
h is the height of the mercury barometer,
ρ is the density of mercury, and
g is gravitational field strength.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 The General Gas Law

The General Gas Law is obtained by combining Boyle’s

Law, Charles’ Law and the Pressure Law.

PV
=k
T
where
P is the pressure,
V is the volume,
T is the temperature (Kelvin) for a fixed mass of gas, and
k is a constant.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 Explanations of the Gas Laws using the Kinetic Theory
Kinetic theory of matter: A gas is made of gas molecules that are in
constant motion.
The collisions of the gas molecules with the walls of the container exert a
force on the wall.

Recall: Pressure = Force / Area

When the volume of a fixed mass of gas is decreased with

no change in temperature, Average speed
Temperature
of gas molecules
Distance travelled by
Volume a molecule between
If the volume
However, if the remains
pressurethe same,
of the gasthere will be
remains
collisions theasame,
largerthe
average
volume force
of the gasofwill
collision on the wall, resulting in a
increase.
Hence the pressure
larger gas number of collisions
Pressureof gas molecules per unit
Law
time increases.
Movable piston to moves to the right,
volume
This leadsincreases Charles’
to a higher force Law Therefore, the
of collision.
gas pressure will increase Boyle’s Law

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 At a constant volume A change in temperature causes a change in pressure of a
fixed mass of gas
A change in temperature causes a change in volume
At a constant pressure
occupied by a fixed mass of gas

At a constant temperature A change in volume causes a change in pressure

occupied by a fixed mass of gas

At a constant volume ,

When a gas is heated, the molecules gain kinetic energy

and move faster. The molecules collide more violently and
frequently with the container wall, hence the gas exerts
greater pressure (Pressure Law).

Chapter 13: Gas Laws


Larger volume occupied by gas
At a constant pressure ,
When a gas is heated, the molecules gain kinetic
energy and move faster. The molecules collide
more violently with the walls of the container. In
order to maintain a constant pressure, the syringe
expand and hence occupying a larger volume
(Charles’ Law).

Hence volume increases proportionally with temperature (V T)

At a constant temperature ,
When the volume occupied by the gas
molecules is decreased, the molecules collide
more frequently with the walls of the container,
hence the gas exerts a greater pressure (Boyle’s
P Law).
Hence pressure is inversely proportional to volume (p 1/V)
Since p 1/V, p = k/V

1/V pV = k, where k is a constant

Graph of p plotted against 1/V
Or p1V1 = p2V2
Chapter 13: Gas Laws
Chapter 13: Gas Laws
 Brownian Motion
The kinetic theory of matter states that all matter is made up of tiny
atoms or molecules which are in continuous motion.
This can be demonstrated by Brownian Motion.

In this setup, smoke particles

are observed to be moving
randomly in the container.
This is attributed to Brownian
motion.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws

 Observation:
The smoke particles are seen as bright spots of
light moving randomly and haphazardly.

Discussion:
The irregular motion of the smoke particles is the result of the smoke
particles being hit by the surrounding air particles.

Brownian motion provides evidence for the kinetic theory of matter.

Chapter 13: Gas Laws