Comprehensive Study Notes on Gas Laws: Boyle, Charles, Gay-Lussac, and Combined Law

Core Concepts and Vocabulary of Gas Laws

  • Focus Question: How are a gas's temperature, pressure, and volume related?
  • Scientific Law: A relationship in nature that is supported by many experiments.
  • Absolute Zero: Zero on the Kelvin scale (0 K0\,K). It is the lowest possible temperature where nothing could be colder, and no heat energy remains in a substance. Theoretically, the motion of atoms and molecules stops completely at this point, and they exist in their lowest possible energy state.     * Equivalent temperatures: −273.15∘C-273.15^{\circ}C or −459.67∘F-459.67^{\circ}F.
  • New Vocabulary List:     * Absolute zero     * Boyle's law     * Charles's law     * Gay-Lussac's law     * Combined gas law

Boyle’s Law: Pressure and Volume Relationship

  • Definition: Boyle’s law states that the volume of a fixed amount of gas held at a constant temperature varies inversely with the pressure.
  • Mathematical Formula:     * P1V1=P2V2P_1V_1 = P_2V_2     * Where PP represents pressure and VV represents volume.
  • Graphical Representation: In a pressure-volume relationship, plotting volume versus pressure results in a downward curve, indicating an inversely proportional relationship.
  • Experimental Evidence:     * Condition 1: (1.0 atm,10 L)(1.0\,atm, 10\,L) at 25.0∘C25.0^{\circ}C. Product: P1V1=(1 atm)×(10 L)=10 atm⋅LP_1V_1 = (1\,atm) \times (10\,L) = 10\,atm\cdot L (constant).     * Condition 2: (2.0 atm,5 L)(2.0\,atm, 5\,L) at 25.0∘C25.0^{\circ}C. Product: P2V2=(2 atm)×(5 L)=10 atm⋅LP_2V_2 = (2\,atm) \times (5\,L) = 10\,atm\cdot L (constant).     * Condition 3: (4.0 atm,2.5 L)(4.0\,atm, 2.5\,L) at 25.0∘C25.0^{\circ}C. Product: P3V3=(4 atm)×(2.5 L)=10 atm⋅LP_3V_3 = (4\,atm) \times (2.5\,L) = 10\,atm\cdot L (constant).

Boyle’s Law: Problem Solving and Practice

  • Example Problem 1: Bubble Volume Underwater     * Problem: A diver blows a 0.75 L0.75\,L air bubble 10 m10\,m underwater. As it rises to the surface, the pressure changes from 2.25 atm2.25\,atm to 1.03 atm1.03\,atm. What will be the volume of air in the bubble at the surface?     * Analyze: A decrease in pressure must result in an increase in volume.     * Known variables: V1=0.75 LV_1 = 0.75\,L, P1=2.25 atmP_1 = 2.25\,atm, P2=1.03 atmP_2 = 1.03\,atm.     * Solution: V2=V1×P1P2=0.75 L×2.25 atm1.03 atm=1.6 LV_2 = V_1 \times \frac{P_1}{P_2} = 0.75\,L \times \frac{2.25\,atm}{1.03\,atm} = 1.6\,L.     * Evaluation: The pressure decreased by roughly half (2.252.25 to 1.031.03), so the volume roughly doubled (0.750.75 to 1.61.6).

  • Practice Problem 1: The volume of a gas at 99.0 kPa99.0\,kPa is 300.0 mL300.0\,mL. If pressure increases to 188 kPa188\,kPa, what is the new volume?     * V2=V1P1P2=300.0 mL×99.0 kPa188 kPa=158 mLV_2 = \frac{V_1P_1}{P_2} = \frac{300.0\,mL \times 99.0\,kPa}{188\,kPa} = 158\,mL

  • Practice Problem 2: Pressure of helium in a 1.00 L1.00\,L container is 0.988 atm0.988\,atm. What is the new pressure in a 2.00 L2.00\,L container?     * P2=V1P1V2=1.00 L×0.988 atm2.00 L=0.494 atmP_2 = \frac{V_1P_1}{V_2} = \frac{1.00\,L \times 0.988\,atm}{2.00\,L} = 0.494\,atm

  • Practice Problem 3 (Challenge): Air in a piston occupies 145.7 mL145.7\,mL at 1.08 atm1.08\,atm. What is the volume when pressure increases by 25%25\%?     * P2=1.08 atm×1.25=1.35 atmP_2 = 1.08\,atm \times 1.25 = 1.35\,atm     * V2=V1P1P2=145.7 mL×1.08 atm1.35 atm=117 mLV_2 = \frac{V_1P_1}{P_2} = \frac{145.7\,mL \times 1.08\,atm}{1.35\,atm} = 117\,mL

Charles’s Law: Temperature and Volume Relationship

  • Definition: Charles’s law states that the volume of a given amount of gas is directly proportional to its Kelvin temperature at constant pressure.
  • Direct Proportionality: As temperature increases, so does the volume of a gas sample if amount and pressure are constant.
  • Mathematical Formula:     * V1T1=V2T2\frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2}
  • Absolute Zero and Graphing:     * A temperature of 0 K0\,K corresponds to 0 mL0\,mL.     * Doubling the temperature doubles the volume.     * Absolute zero is the theoretical point where molecular motion stops.

Charles’s Law: Problem Solving and Practice

  • Example Problem 2: Helium Balloon in a Car     * Problem: A balloon occupies 2.32 L2.32\,L at 40.0∘C40.0^{\circ}C. If the car temperature rises to 75.0∘C75.0^{\circ}C, what is the new volume?     * Step 1: Temperature Conversion: T1=40.0∘C+273=313.0 KT_1 = 40.0^{\circ}C + 273 = 313.0\,K; T2=75.0∘C+273=348.0 KT_2 = 75.0^{\circ}C + 273 = 348.0\,K.     * Step 2: Solve: V2=V1×T2T1=2.32 L×348.0 K313.0 K=2.58 LV_2 = V_1 \times \frac{T_2}{T_1} = 2.32\,L \times \frac{348.0\,K}{313.0\,K} = 2.58\,L.

  • Practice Problem 4: What volume will gas in a balloon (4.3 L4.3\,L at 350 K350\,K) occupy at 250 K250\,K?     * V2=V1T2T1=4.3 L×250 K350 K=3.1 LV_2 = \frac{V_1T_2}{T_1} = \frac{4.3\,L \times 250\,K}{350\,K} = 3.1\,L

  • Practice Problem 5: Gas at 89∘C89^{\circ}C occupies 0.67 L0.67\,L. At what Celsius temperature will volume increase to 1.12 L1.12\,L?     * T1=89∘C+273=362 KT_1 = 89^{\circ}C + 273 = 362\,K     * T2=T1V2V1=362 K×1.12 L0.67 L=605 KT_2 = \frac{T_1V_2}{V_1} = \frac{362\,K \times 1.12\,L}{0.67\,L} = 605\,K     * TCelsius=605−273=332∘CT_{Celsius} = 605 - 273 = 332^{\circ}C (Rounded to 330∘C330^{\circ}C for sig figs).

  • Practice Problem 6: A 3.00 L3.00\,L sample lowered from 80.0∘C80.0^{\circ}C to 30.0∘C30.0^{\circ}C. Resulting volume?     * T1=353 KT_1 = 353\,K, T2=303 KT_2 = 303\,K     * V2=3.00 L×303 K353 K=2.58 LV_2 = \frac{3.00\,L \times 303\,K}{353\,K} = 2.58\,L

  • Practice Problem 7 (Challenge): Gas occupies 0.67 L0.67\,L at 350 K350\,K. What temperature is required to reduce volume by 45%45\%?     * V2=0.67 L−(0.67 L×0.45)=0.37 LV_2 = 0.67\,L - (0.67\,L \times 0.45) = 0.37\,L     * T2=350 K×0.37 L0.67 L=190 KT_2 = \frac{350\,K \times 0.37\,L}{0.67\,L} = 190\,K

Gay-Lussac’s Law: Temperature and Pressure Relationship

  • Definition: Gay-Lussac’s law states that the pressure of a fixed amount of gas varies directly with the Kelvin temperature when volume remains constant.
  • Mathematical Formula:     * P1T1=P2T2\frac{P_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2}{T_2}
  • Experimental Example:     * Condition A: 1.5 atm1.5\,atm at 150 K150\,K. Ratio: 1.5150=0.01 atm/K\frac{1.5}{150} = 0.01\,atm/K.     * Condition B: 3.0 atm3.0\,atm at 300 K300\,K. Ratio: 3.0300=0.01 atm/K\frac{3.0}{300} = 0.01\,atm/K.

Gay-Lussac’s Law: Problem Solving and Practice

  • Example Problem 3: Oxygen Canister on Mt. Everest     * Problem: Oxygen pressure is 5.00 atm5.00\,atm at 25.0∘C25.0^{\circ}C. Temperature falls to −10.0∘C-10.0^{\circ}C. What is the new pressure?     * Temperature Conversion: T1=298.0 KT_1 = 298.0\,K; T2=263.0 KT_2 = 263.0\,K.     * Solution: P2=P1×T2T1=5.00 atm×263.0 K298.0 K=4.41 atmP_2 = P_1 \times \frac{T_2}{T_1} = 5.00\,atm \times \frac{263.0\,K}{298.0\,K} = 4.41\,atm.

  • Practice Problem 8: Tire pressure is 1.88 atm1.88\,atm at 25.0∘C25.0^{\circ}C. Pressure at 37.0∘C37.0^{\circ}C?     * T1=298 KT_1 = 298\,K, T2=310 KT_2 = 310\,K     * P2=1.88 atm×310 K298 K=1.96 atmP_2 = \frac{1.88\,atm \times 310\,K}{298\,K} = 1.96\,atm

  • Practice Problem 9: Helium in 2.00 L2.00\,L cylinder at 1.12 atm1.12\,atm. At 36.5∘C36.5^{\circ}C, pressure is 2.56 atm2.56\,atm. Initial temperature in Celsius?     * T2=36.5∘C+273=309.5 KT_2 = 36.5^{\circ}C + 273 = 309.5\,K     * T1=T2P1P2=309.5 K×1.12 atm2.56 atm=135 KT_1 = \frac{T_2P_1}{P_2} = \frac{309.5\,K \times 1.12\,atm}{2.56\,atm} = 135\,K     * TCelsius=135−273=−138∘CT_{Celsius} = 135 - 273 = -138^{\circ}C

  • Practice Problem 10 (Challenge): Pressure is 30.7 kPa30.7\,kPa at 0.00∘C0.00^{\circ}C. By how many degrees Celsius must it increase to double the pressure?     * T1=273 KT_1 = 273\,K, P2=61.4 kPaP_2 = 61.4\,kPa     * T2=273 K×61.4 kPa30.7 kPa=546 KT_2 = \frac{273\,K \times 61.4\,kPa}{30.7\,kPa} = 546\,K     * TCelsius=546−273=273∘CT_{Celsius} = 546 - 273 = 273^{\circ}C. The temperature must increase by 273∘C273^{\circ}C.

The Combined Gas Law

  • Definition: The combined gas law expresses the relationship between pressure, temperature, and volume for a fixed amount of gas.
  • Principle: For a fixed amount of gas, the product of pressure and volume divided by the Kelvin temperature is constant.
  • Mathematical Formula:     * P1V1T1=P2V2T2\frac{P_1V_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2V_2}{T_2}

The Combined Gas Law: Problem Solving and Practice

  • Example Problem 4: Changing Multi-Variables     * Problem: Gas at 110 kPa110\,kPa and 30.0∘C30.0^{\circ}C fills a flexible 2.00 L2.00\,L container. If temp rises to 80.0∘C80.0^{\circ}C and pressure reaches 440 kPa440\,kPa, what is the new volume?     * Analyze: Pressure quadruples, while temperature increases slightly. Volume should decrease.     * Kelvin conversion: T1=303.0 KT_1 = 303.0\,K, T2=353.0 KT_2 = 353.0\,K.     * Solution: V2=V1×P1P2×T2T1=2.00 L×110 kPa440 kPa×353.0 K303.0 K=0.58 LV_2 = V_1 \times \frac{P_1}{P_2} \times \frac{T_2}{T_1} = 2.00\,L \times \frac{110\,kPa}{440\,kPa} \times \frac{353.0\,K}{303.0\,K} = 0.58\,L.

  • Practice Problem 11: Air in syringe at 1.02 atm1.02\,atm and 22.0∘C22.0^{\circ}C. Placed in boiling water (100.0∘C100.0^{\circ}C), pressure increased to 1.23 atm1.23\,atm, volume reduced to 0.224 mL0.224\,mL. Initial volume?     * T1=295 KT_1 = 295\,K, T2=373 KT_2 = 373\,K     * V1=V2T1P2T2P1=0.224 mL×295 K×1.23 atm373 K×1.02 atm=0.214 mLV_1 = \frac{V_2T_1P_2}{T_2P_1} = \frac{0.224\,mL \times 295\,K \times 1.23\,atm}{373\,K \times 1.02\,atm} = 0.214\,mL

  • Practice Problem 12: Balloon with 146.0 mL146.0\,mL at 1.30 atm1.30\,atm and 5.0∘C5.0^{\circ}C. If pressure doubles and temp decreases to 2.0∘C2.0^{\circ}C, what is the volume?     * T1=278 KT_1 = 278\,K, T2=275 KT_2 = 275\,K, P2=2.60 atmP_2 = 2.60\,atm     * V2=P1T2V1P2T1=1.30 atm×275 K×146.0 mL2.60 atm×278 K=72 mLV_2 = \frac{P_1T_2V_1}{P_2T_1} = \frac{1.30\,atm \times 275\,K \times 146.0\,mL}{2.60\,atm \times 278\,K} = 72\,mL

  • Practice Problem 13 (Challenge): Gas cylinder at 0.00∘C0.00^{\circ}C, 1.00 atm1.00\,atm, and 30.0 mL30.0\,mL. If temp increases to 30.0∘C30.0^{\circ}C and pressure to 1.20 atm1.20\,atm, does the piston move up or down?     * V2=V1×P1P2×T2T1=30.0 mL×1.00 atm1.20 atm×303 K273 K=27.7 mLV_2 = V_1 \times \frac{P_1}{P_2} \times \frac{T_2}{T_1} = 30.0\,mL \times \frac{1.00\,atm}{1.20\,atm} \times \frac{303\,K}{273\,K} = 27.7\,mL     * V2V1≈0.92\frac{V_2}{V_1} \approx 0.92. Since V2<V1V_2 < V_1, the piston moves down.

Evaluative Quiz

  1. Question: According to Boyle’s law, what happens to the volume of a fixed amount of gas at a constant temperature when the pressure doubles?     * Answer: It decreases by half.
  2. Question: Which is NOT true about absolute zero?     * Answer Options: (A) Potential lowest theoretical temp (B) Atoms in lowest energy state (C) Zero on Celsius scale (D) Zero on Kelvin scale.     * Correct Response: It is zero on the Celsius scale (False statement).
  3. Question: Which law states that the volume of a given amount of gas is directly proportional to its Kelvin temperature at constant pressure?     * Answer: Charles’s law.
  4. Question: Which variables remain constant when applying the formula for Gay-Lussac’s law?     * Answer: Amount of gas and volume.

Lesson Review and Progress Check

  • Relationships: The combined gas law summarizes the relationships: P1V1T1=P2V2T2\frac{P_1V_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2V_2}{T_2}. If temperature increases, either volume or pressure (or both) must increase.
  • Proportionality:     * Directly Proportional: Pressure and Volume are both directly proportional to Temperature.     * Inversely Proportional: Pressure and Volume are inversely proportional to each other.
  • Predicting Volume: To predict volume at a final altitude (like a weather balloon), one must know the final temperature and final pressure to apply the combined gas law.
  • Safety and Compressed Gases:     * Compressed gases must be shielded from heat because increasing temperature increases pressure, which could cause cylinders to explode.     * Oxygen must be decompressed before inhalation.
  • Specific Calculation (Methane): Methane at 660 torr660\,torr and 22.0∘C22.0^{\circ}C (295 K295\,K) in a 1.00 L1.00\,L rigid container. Pressure at 44.6∘C44.6^{\circ}C (318 K318\,K)?     * P2=660 torr×318 K295 K=711 torrP_2 = \frac{660\,torr \times 318\,K}{295\,K} = 711\,torr.
  • Concept Mapping Summary:     * Constant amount of gas is the baseline for all these laws.     * Boyle's Law: Temperature held constant (P1V1=P2V2P_1V_1 = P_2V_2).     * Charles's Law: Pressure held constant (V1T1=V2T2\frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2}).     * Gay-Lussac's Law: Volume held constant (P1T1=P2T2\frac{P_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2}{T_2}).