4.

4 Understanding
the Gas Laws
 Kinetic Theory of Gases
 A few assumptions in this theory:
Fill up space
1. Molecules of gas are
Has
always moving in Gas has
kinetic
random motion. energy volume
2. Molecules of gas always
collides with each other.
Temperature
3. Collision of gas molecules pressure
with each other and with the
Change of
walls are elastic
collision. momentum gives
force
Relationship between
Pressure and volume

Boyle’s Law
 Relationship between
Pressure and volume
Number of molecules
When the volume per unit volume
increases
of gas is
decreased, Constant
temperature

Molecules hit wall

more often, hence
greater pressure.

Bigger volume smaller volume

 Pressure decreases,
volume increases

Boyle’s Law
Boyle’s Law states that for a fixed
mass of gas, the pressure of the gas
is inversely proportional to its
volume when the temperature is
kept constant.

1 That is PV = constant
P
V Or P1V1 = P2V2
Mass of gas is constant
Temperature is constant
 Pressure decreases,
volume increases

Boyle’s Law
P P

1
0 0 V
V
P inversely proportional to V P directly proportional to 1/V
 Worked Example pg 124
102 kPa
P2 Using P1V1 = P2V2

102 (800) = P2 (160)

800 cm3
160 cm3
P2 = 102 (800)
160
= 510 k Pa
P1 = 102 kPa , V1= 800 cm 3

P2 = ? ,V2= 160 cm3

 Worked Example

An air bubble released by

a diver has a volume of
Using P1V1 = P2V2
6.0 cm3 at a depth of 5 m.
What is the volume of the
bubble at a depth of 2 m ? 15 (6) = 12 (V2)
[Assume atmospheric
pressure = 10m water]
V2= 15 (6)
P1 = 15 m water, V1= 6 cm3 12
= 7.5 cm3
P2 = 12 m water , V2= ?
Relationship between
volume and temperature

Charles’s Law
 Relationship between
volume and temperature
Molecules move
When the faster, pushing
piston and
temperature of gas expand.

increases, Constant
pressure
gas expands and
hence volume
increases.
Lower Higher
temperature temperature
 Graph of
volume against temperature
V - graph V -T graph
V V
Absolute
temperature

Celsius scale Kelvin scale

-273 0  / oC -273 0 T/K

Absolute zero = -273oC = 0 K
Absolute zero
of Ice point = 0oC = 273 K
temperature steam point = 100oC = 373 K
 Temperature increases,
Volume increases

Charles’ Law
Charles’ Law states that for a fixed
mass of gas, the volume of the gas
is directly proportional to its
absolute temperature when the
pressure is kept constant.

That is V = constant
VT T
V1 V2
Mass of gas is constant Or 
Pressure is constant T1 T2
 Worked Example pg 126

Using V1 = V2
2.4 m3 of air at 27o C in T1 T 2
an expandable cylinder is 2.4 V2
heated to a temperature 
300 360
of 87o C at constant
pressure. What is the new 2.4 x 360
volume of air ? V2 
300
V1 = 2.4 m3, T1= (27+273) K
V2 = 2.88 m3
V2 = ? , T2= (87 +273) K
Relationship between
pressure and
temperature

Pressure Law
 Relationship between
pressure and temperature

When the Molecules move

faster and collide
temperature of gas more frequently.

increases,
Constant
more frequent volume

collision with the

walls, hence
pressure
increases. Lower Higher
temperature temperature
 Graph of
pressure against temperature
P - graph P -T graph
P P
Absolute
temperature

Celsius scale Kelvin scale

-273 0  / oC -273 0 T/K

Absolute zero
of
temperature
 Temperature increases,
pressure increases

Pressure Law
Pressure Law states that for a fixed
mass of gas, the pressure of the gas
is directly proportional to its
absolute temperature when the
volume is kept constant.

That is P = constant
P T T
P1 P2
Mass of gas is constant Or 
volume is constant T1 T2
 Worked Example pg 128

The initial pressure and

temperature of the air in Using P1 = P2
a car tyre was 200 kPa T1 T 2
and 27oC respectively. 200 230
After a journey, the 
pressure of the air was 300 T2
found to be 230 kPa.
Calculate the 230 x 360
T2 
temperature of the air in 200
the tyre.
= 345 K
P1 = 200 kPa,
T1= (27+273) K = 345-273 oC
= 72 oC
P2 = 230 kPa , T2= ?
 SUMMARY

Relationship between V, P and T

Boyle’s Law Charles’s Law Pressure Law

P
1 VT P T
V V1 V2 P1 P2
 
P1V1 = P2V2 T1 T2 T1 T2

PV
 constant
T
 EVALUATION

1. Diagram shows a balloon which is

placed in an air-tight container.

N
Balloon

If the piston is moved from M to N, what

will happen to the balloon ?
A It breaks C It contracts
B It vibrates D It expands
 EVALUATION

2. Which of the following graphs

does NOT represent Boyle’s Law
A P B P

1 V
0 0
V

C PV D P

P
V
0 0
 EVALUATION

Which of the
following
physical
quantities of
Gas at high vacuum gas does not
pressure
changed ?
When valve P is open, A Mass
gas from cylinder A B Volume
moves to cylinder B. C density
D pressure
 EXERCISE

Mastery Practice 4.4 pg 128

Questions 1 to 10

Practise Your skill pg 130

Objective Questions
Structured Questions