GED Science TestPhysical ScienceHard
A physicist is investigating the behavior of a gas under varying conditions. They observe that when the pressure on a fixed amount of gas is doubled while its temperature is kept constant, the volume of the gas is halved. Which gas law is being demonstrated by this observation?
- ACharles's Law
- BAvogadro's Law
- CGay-Lussac's Law
- DBoyle's Law
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Boyle's Law
Boyle's Law states that for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature, the pressure and volume are inversely proportional. This means if pressure doubles, volume halves, and vice versa.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Charles's Law relates volume and temperature at constant pressure.
- B. Avogadro's Law relates volume and the number of moles of gas at constant temperature and pressure.
- C. Gay-Lussac's Law relates pressure and temperature at constant volume.
Boyle's Law
For a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature, the pressure and volume are inversely proportional.
- P₁V₁ = P₂V₂
- As pressure increases, volume decreases
- Temperature and moles of gas remain constant
Memory trick: Boyles's P and V are inverse, Charles's V and T are direct, Gay-Lussac's P and T are direct.