The Gas Laws: Charles's Law (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering Charles's Law, the V-T relationship, Kelvin temperature, and related concepts.

Charles's Law

For a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure, the volume is directly proportional to the temperature measured in Kelvin (V ∝ T). It can be written as V1/T1 = V2/T2.

Temperature (Kelvin)

The Kelvin temperature scale used in gas law calculations; temperatures must be in Kelvin for V ∝ T to hold. 0 K equals -273°C.

Kelvin (K)

The base unit of temperature on the Kelvin scale; used in gas law calculations.

Absolute Zero

0 K; the lowest possible temperature, equivalent to -273.15°C; molecular motion is minimal.

Directly Proportional

A relationship where one quantity increases in direct proportion to another (as V increases, T increases; V ∝ T).

V1/T1 = V2/T2

The constant-ratio form of Charles's Law, showing volume divided by temperature remains constant for a fixed mass at constant pressure.

Fixed Mass

A definite amount of gas used in Charles's Law experiments; the mass does not change.

Constant Pressure

The pressure is kept unchanged while observing changes in volume and temperature in Charles's Law.

Gay-Lussac's Law

For a fixed volume of gas, pressure is directly proportional to its Kelvin temperature (P ∝ T).

Thermal Expansion (Gas)

Expansion of gas due to heating; as temperature rises, particles move faster and collide more, increasing volume at constant pressure.