Chapter 7 Gases

7.3
Pressure and Volume
(Boyles Law)

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

Boyles Law
Boyles law states that
the pressure of a gas
is inversely related to
its volume when T and
n are constant
if the pressure (P)
increases, then the
volume (V) decreases

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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PV Constant in Boyles Law

In Boyles law
The product P x V is constant as long as T and n do
not change.
P1V1 = 8.0 atm x 2.0 L = 16 atm L
P2V2 = 4.0 atm x 4.0 L = 16 atm L
P3V3 = 2.0 atm x 8.0 L = 16 atm L
Boyles law can be stated as
P1V1

P2V2 (T, n constant)

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Solving for a Gas Law Factor

The equation for Boyles law can be rearranged to
solve for any factor.
P1V1 = P2V2
Boyles Law
To solve for V2 , divide both sides by P2.
P1V1
= P2V2
P2
P2
V1 x P1
P2
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V2

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Boyles Law and Breathing:

Inhalation
During inhalation,
the lungs expand
the pressure in the
lungs decreases
air flows towards
the lower pressure
in the lungs

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

Boyles Law and Breathing:

Exhalation
During exhalation,
lung volume decreases
pressure within the
lungs increases
air flows from the
higher pressure in the
lungs to the outside

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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Guide to Calculations with Gas Laws

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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Calculation with Boyles Law

Freon-12, CCl2F2, is used in refrigeration systems. What
is the new volume (L) of an 8.0 L sample of Freon gas
after its pressure is changed from 550 mmHg to 2200
mmHg at constant T?
STEP 1 Set up a data table:
Conditions 1

Conditions 2

P1 = 550 mmHg
V1 = 8.0 L

P2 = 2200 mmHg P increases

V2 = ?
V decreases

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Know

Predict

Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

Calculation with Boyles Law

(continued)
STEP 2 Solve Boyles law for V2. When pressure
increases, volume decreases.
P1V1 = P2V2
V2

= V1 x P1
P2
STEP 3 Set up problem
V2
= 8.0 L x 550 mmHg =
2200 mmHg

2.0 L

pressure ratio
decreases volume
General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

Learning Check
For a cylinder containing helium gas, indicate if cylinder
A or cylinder B represents the new volume for the
following changes (n and T are constant):
1) Pressure decreases
2) Pressure increases

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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Solution
For a cylinder containing helium gas, indicate if cylinder
A or cylinder B represents the new volume for the
following changes (n and T are constant):
1) Pressure decreases (cylinder B)
2) Pressure increases (cylinder A)

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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Learning Check
If a sample of helium gas has a volume of 120 mL
and a pressure of 850 mmHg, what is the new
volume if the pressure is changed to 425 mmHg?
1) 60 mL

2) 120 mL

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

3) 240 mL

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Solution
3) 240 mL
Conditions 1
P1 = 850 mmHg
V1 = 120 mL

Conditions 2
P2 = 425 mmHg
V2 = ?

Know
Predict
P decreases
V increases

V2 = V1 x P1 = 120 mL x 850 mmHg = 240 mL

P2

425 mmHg
Pressure ratio
increases volume

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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Learning Check
A sample of helium gas in a balloon has a volume of
10. L at a pressure of 0.90 atm. At 1.40 atm (T
constant), is the new volume represented by A, B, or
C?

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

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Solution
A sample of helium gas in a balloon has a volume of
10. L at a pressure of 0.90 atm. At a higher pressure
(T constant), the new volume is represented by the
smaller balloon.

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Learning Check
If the sample of helium gas has a volume of 6.4 L
at a pressure of 0.70 atm, what is the new
volume when the pressure is increased to 1.40
atm (T constant)?
A) 3.2 L
B) 6.4 L
C) 12.8 L

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Solution
A) 3.2 L
STEP 1 Set up data table (conditions)
Conditions 1 Conditions 2

Know

Predict

P1 = 0.70 atm
P2 = 1.40 atm
V1 = 6.4 L V2 = ?

P increases
V decreases

STEP 2 Solve for Boyles law for V2

V2 = V1 x P1
P2
STEP 3 Set up problem
V2 = 6.4 L x 0.70 atm = 3.2 L
1.40 atm
Volume decreases when there is an increase in the pressure
(temperature is constant).
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Learning Check
A sample of oxygen gas has a
volume of 12.0 L at 600 mmHg.
What is the new pressure when
the volume changes to 36.0 L?
(T and n constant)
1) 200 mmHg
2) 400 mmHg
3) 1200 mmHg

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Solution
1) 200 mmHg
Conditions 1

Conditions 2

P1 = 600 mmHg
V1 = 12.0 L

P2 = ?
V2 = 36.0 L

Know

Predict

P decreases
V increases

P2 = P1 x V1
V2
600 mmHg x 12.0 L = 200 mmHg
36.0 L
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