GAS LAWS

The four fundamental properties of gases that are measurable: PRESSURE, VOLUME, TEMPERATURE, and AMOUNT OF
THE GAS (mass).

PRESSURE (P) is force per unit area, calculated by dividing the force by the area on which the force acts.

P = F
A
The earth's gravity acts on air molecules to create a force, that of the air pushing on the earth. This is
called atmospheric pressure. The SI unit, is the pascal.

The units of pressure that are used are:

pascal (Pa),
standard atmosphere (atm),
mm Hg (millimeter of mercury)
torr
bar
kPa
psi
1 atm is the average pressure at sea level. It is normally used as a standard unit of pressure.
Conversions:
1 atm = 101,325 pascals
= 101.325 kPa
= 1.01325 bar
= 760 mm Hg
= 760 torr
= 14.7 psi
For laboratory work the atmosphere is very large. A more convenient unit is the torr.

A torr is the same unit as the mm Hg (millimeter of mercury). It is the pressure that is needed to raise a tube of mercury
1 millimeter.

VOLUME (V)

• The space occupy of the gases molecules.

• It is express in liter (L), millilitres (ml), cubic centimeters (cm3), cubic meter (m3), and cubic diameter (dm3).

• The volume of the gas depends on the pressure, temperature, and amount of the gas present.

TEMPERATURE (T)

• The temperature of the gas depends on the kinetic energy of gas.

• The gas expanded when temperature is increased.

• The temperature of the gas is generally expressed in Fahrenheit (oF), Centigrade degree (oC) and Kelvin (K)

AMOUNT OF GAS or MASS (n)

• It is related to the number of moles of the gas.

• Generally express in kilogram (Kg) or grams (g)

• number of moles = mass of gas/molar mass of the gas

BOYLE’S LAW

Boyle's law or the pressure-volume law states that the volume of a given amount of gas held at constant temperature
varies inversely with the applied pressure when the temperature and mass are constant.

V ∝ 1
P
Another way to describing it is saying that their products are constant.

PV = C where (C) is constant

When pressure goes up, volume goes down. When volume goes up, pressure goes down.
From the equation above, this can be derived:

P1V1 = P2V2 = P3V3 etc.

Example: If the initial volume was 500 mL at a pressure of 760 torr, when the volume is compressed to 450 mL, what is
the pressure in torr? What is the pressure in atm?
Given: P1 = 760 torr P2 = ?
V1 = 500 mL V2 = 450 mL
Solution:
P1V1 = P2V2 (760 torr) (500 mL) = P2 (450 mL)
P2 = 844 torr after compression
pressure in atm: 844 torr ( 1 atm / 760 torr) = 1.11 atm

CHARLES’ LAW

This law states that the volume of a given amount of gas held at constant pressure is directly proportional to the Kelvin
temperature.

V∝ T
Same as before Boyle’s Law, a constant can be put in:

V = C and V1 = V2 = V3
T T1 T2 T3
As the volume goes up, the temperature also goes up, and vice-versa.

Example: The gas was held at constant pressure. What is the final volume of the gas at 4.5 K, if its initial volume was
recorded at 340 mL at 3.1 K. Express the final volume in liters.
Given: V1 = 340 mL V2 = ? L
T1 = 4.5 K T2 = 3.1 K
Solution:

V1/T1 = V2/T2 (340 mL) = (V2) V2 = (340 mL) (4.5K)

(3.1 K) (4.5 K) (3.1 K)
V2 = 494 mL or V2 = 0.494 Liters

GAY-LUSSACS’ LAW

Also known as the Pressure-Temperature Law. This law states that the pressure of a given amount of gas held at
constant volume is directly proportional to the Kelvin temperature. Expressed in this equation:

P∝ T and with the constant:

P = C
T
As the pressure goes up, the temperature also goes up, and vice-versa.
Also same as before, initial and final volumes and temperatures under constant pressure can be calculated. It can be
expressed as;

P1/T1 = P2/T2 = P3/T3 etc

Example: A gas in a close container at 39 0C exerts a pressure of 945 mmHg. How much pressure will it exert if the
temperature is raised to 42.5 0C without changing the volume?

Given: T1 = 39oC + 273 = 312 K P1 = 945 mm Hg

T2 = 42.5 oC + 273 = 315.5K P2 =?

Solution: P1 = P2 P2 = P1T2 P2 = 945 mm Hg( 315.5 K) = 955.60 mm Hg

T1 T2 T1 312 K
AVOGADROS’ LAW

The Volume- Amount of gas Law. This law gives the relationship between volume and amount of gas when pressure and
temperature are held constant. Remember amount is measured in moles. Also, since volume is one of the variables,
that means the container holding the gas is flexible in some way and can expand or contract.

If the amount of gas in a container is increased, the volume increases. If the amount of gas in a container is decreased,
the volume decreases. It is expressed as:

V∝ n and entering the constant, it can be expressed as:

V =C
n
V1/ n1 = V2/n2 = V3/ n3 etc
Example: A 2.7 mole of gas has a volume of 2.9 L at a certain temperature and pressure. Find the new volume of this gas
if 5 moles are added to the original volume under the same conditions.

Given: V1 = 2.9 L n1 = 2.7 moles

V2 = ? n2 = 2.7 moles + 5 moles = 7.7 moles

Solution: V2 = V1 n2 V2 = 2.9L (7.7 moles) = 8.27 L

n1 2.7 moles

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

• A 28.5L of gas is measured at 43.50C. If the pressure remains constant, what will be the temperature of the gas
with 9425ml?

• What will happen to a spray can of paint containing only the propellant at a pressure of 785 torr at 32oC if it is
thrown into a heap of garbage burning at 165 oC?

• A gas sample has a volume of 1.5L and pressure is about 692mmHg. Find the final pressure of a gas when its
volume is increased to 3545ml.

• A gas in a close container at 37.8 0C exerts a pressure of 945 mmHg. How much pressure will it exert if the
temperature is raised to 41.5 0C without changing the volume?

• A 12.2L sample contains 1.5 moles of oxygen gas at certain pressure and temperature. What is the amount of
17.2 L of oxygen gas?