LAWS OF GASES

A. BOYLE’S LAW
- also called Mariotte’s law, a relation concerning the compression and expansion of a gas at
constant temperature. This empirical relation, formulated by the physicist Robert Boyle in
1662, states that the pressure (p) of a given quantity of gas varies inversely with its volume
(v) at constant temperature; i.e., in equation form, pv = k, a constant. The relationship was
also discovered by the French physicist Edme Mariotte (1676).
- The volume at a gas at constant temperature is inversely proportional to the pressure.

Formula: P1 = Pressure 1
V1 = Volume 1
P1V1 = P2V2 P2 = Pressure 2
V2 = Volume 2

Examples:
1. A container holds 500ml of CO2 at 20ºC and 742 torr. What is the volume of the CO2 if the
pressure increased to 795 torr?
Given: P1 = 742 torr
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 500 mL
V2 = P1V1
P2 = 795 torr P2
= 742 torr (500 mL)
V2 = ? 795 torr
T1 = 20 ºC V2 = 497 mL

2. A balloon with a volume of 2.0 L is filled with a gas at 3 atmospheres. If the pressure is reduced
to 0.5 atmospheres without a change in temperature, what would be the volume of the balloon?
Given: P1 = 3 atm
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 2.0 L
V2 = P1V1
P2 = 0.5 atm P2
= 3 atm (2.0 L)
V2 = ? 0.5 atm
V2 = 12 L

3. A gas exerts a pressure of 3 kPa on the walls of container 1. When container 1 is emptied into a
10-litre container, the pressure exerted by the gas increases to 6 kPa. Find the volume of container
1. Assume that the temperature and quantity of the gas remain constant.
Given: P1 = 3 kPa P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = ?
V1 = P2V2
P2 = 6 kPa P1
= 6 kPa (10 L)
V2 = 10 L 3 kPa
V1 = 20 L

4. A sample of gas has an initial pressure of 722 torr and an initial volume of 88.8 mL. Its volume
changes to 0.663 L. What is the new pressure?
Given: P1 = 722 torr First, convert the L to ml, hence 1 L = 1000 ml.
V1 = 88.8 mL 0.663 L x 1000 ml = 663 mL
1L
P2 = ?
P1V1 = P2V2
V2 = 0.663 L
P2 = P1V1
V2
= 722 torr (88.8 ml)
663 mL
P1 = 96.7 torr

5. If V1 = 456 mL, P1 = 308 torr, and P2 = 248 torr, what is V2?

Given: P1 = 308 torr
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 456 mL
V2 = P1V1
P2 = 248 torr P2
= 308 torr (456 mL)
V2 = ? 248 torr
V2 = 566.32 mL

B. CHARLES' LAW
- was named for scientist Jacques Charles, who came up with the idea for the law around 1780.
The law says that when temperature increases, the volume of a gas increases, and it increases
at the same rate. What this means is, as a gas gets hotter, and its atoms move faster, the
amount of space it takes up, or its volume, gets bigger, too.

Formula: V1 = Volume 1
T1 = Temperature 1
V1 = V2
V2 = Volume 2
T1 T2 T2 = Temperature 2
Examples:
1. A sample of gas occupies 24 m³ at 100 k. Determine its volume at 400 K.
Given: V1 = 24 m³ V1 = V2
T1 T2
T1 = 100 K
V2 = ? V2 = V1T2
T1
T2 = 400 K = 24 m³ (400 K)
100 K
V2 = 96 m³

2. A gas is collected and found to fill 2.85 L at 25.0 °C. What will be its volume at standard
temperature?
Solution:
Given: V1 = 2.85 L
a. Convert 25.0 °C to Kelvin and you get
T1 = 25.0°C / 298 K
298 K. Standard temperature is 273 K.
V2 = ?
b. Solve using the formula.
T2 = 273 K
V1 = V2
T1 T2

V2 = V1T2
T1
= 2.85 L (273 K)
298 K
V2 = 2.61 L

3. 600.0 mL of air is at 20.0 °C. What is the volume at 60.0°C?

Given: V1 = 600.0 mL
V1 = V2
T1 = 20.0°C / 293.0 K T1 T2

V2 = ? V2 = V1T2
T1
T2 = 60.0°C / 333.0 K = 600.0 mL (333.0 K)
293.0 K
V2 = 682 ml
 4. A gas occupies 900.0 mL at a temperature of 27.0°C. What is the volume at 132.0°C?
Given: V1 = 900.0 mL V1 = V2
T1 T2
T1 = 27.0°C / 300.0 K
V2 = ? V2 = V1T2
T1
T2 = 132.0°C / 405.0 K = 900.0 mL (405.0 K)
300.0 K
V2 = 1215 mL

5. If V1 = 623 mL, T1 = 255°C, and V2 = 277 mL, what is T2?

Given: V1 = 623 mL V1 = V2
T1 T2
T1 = 255°C / 528 K
V2 = 277 mL T2 = V2T1
V1
T2 = ? = 277 mL (528 K)
623 mL
T2 = 234.76 K

C. GAY-LUSSAC’S LAW
- When the temperature of a sample of gas in a rigid container is increased, the pressure of the
gas increases as well. The increase in kinetic energy results in the molecules of gas striking
the walls of the container with more force, resulting in a greater pressure. The French chemist
Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778 - 1850) discovered the relationship between the pressure of a gas
and its absolute temperature. Gay-Lussac's Law states that the pressure of a given mass of
gas varies directly with the absolute temperature of the gas, when the volume is kept constant.
Gay-Lussac's Law is very similar to Charles's Law, with the only difference being the type of
container. Whereas the container in a Charles's Law experiment is flexible, it is rigid in a
Gay-Lussac's Law experiment.
- The pressure of a given gas varies with the Kelvin temperature. When the volume remains
constant.
Formula:
P1 = Pressure 1
P1 = P2 T1 = Temperature 1
T1 T2 P2 = Pressure 2
T2 = Temperature 2
Examples:

1. The pressure of a gas in a tank is 324.24 kPa at 295 K. Determine the gas pressure if the
temperature is raised to 333 K.

Given: P1 = 324.4 kPa P1 = P2

T1 T2
T1 = 295 K
P2 = P1T2
P2 = ? T1
T2 = 333 K = 324.4 kPa (333 K)
295 K
P2 = 366 kPa

2. The gas in an aerosol can is under a pressure of 3.00 atm at a temperature of 25°C. It is dangerous
to dispose of an aerosol can by incineration. What would the pressure in the aerosol can be at a
temperature of 845°C?
Given: P1 = 3.00 atm P1 = P2
T1 T2
T1 = 25°C / 298 K
P2 = P1T2
P2 = ?
T1
T2 = 845°C / 1118 K = 3.00 atm (1118 K)
298 K
P2 = 11.3 atm

3. Find the temperature in Celsius needed to change the pressure of 10.0 liters of a gas that
has a pressure of 97.0 kPa at 25°C to standard pressure. Standard pressure is 101.325
kPa.
Given: P1 = 97.0 kPa P1 = P2
T1 T2
T1 = 25°C / 298 K
P2 = 101.325 kPa T2 = P2T1
P1
T2 = ? = 101.325 kPa (298 K)
97.0 kPa
T2 = 311.29 K / 38.29 °C
 4. A gas has a pressure of 699.0 mm Hg at 40.0°C. What is the temperature at a pressure of 760.0
mm Hg?
Given: P1 = 699.0 mm Hg P1 = P2
T1 = 40.0°C / 313 K T1 T2

P2 = 760.0 mm Hg T2 = P2T1
P1
T2 = ? = 760.0 mm Hg (313 K)
699.0 mm Hg
T2 = 340.31 K

5. Determine the pressure change when a constant volume of gas at 1.00 atm is heated from 20.0°C
to 30.0 °C.
Given: P1 = 1.00 atm
P1 = P2
T1 = 20.0°C / 293 K T1 T2

P2 = ? P2 = P1T2
T1
T2 = 30.0°C / 303 K = 1.00 atm (303 K)
293 K
P2 = 1.03 atm

D. COMBINED GAS LAW

- The combined gas law combines the three gas laws: Boyle's Law, Charles' Law, and Gay-
Lussac's Law. It states that the ratio of the product of pressure and volume and the absolute
temperature of a gas is equal to a constant. When Avogadro's law is added to the combined
gas law, the ideal gas law results. Unlike the named gas laws, the combined gas law doesn't
have an official discoverer. It is simply a combination of the other gas laws that works when
everything except temperature, pressure, and volume are held constant.
- The relationship among pressure, volume and temperature of a fixed amount of gas.

Formula:
P1 = Pressure 1 P1 = Pressure 2

P1V1 = P2V2 V1 = Volume 1 V1 = Volume 2

T1 = Temperature 1 T2 = Temperature 2
T1 T2
Examples:
1. A gas at 110 kPa and 30°C fills a flexible container with an initial volume of 2L. If the
temperature is raised to 80°C and the pressure is increased to 440 kPa. What is the new volume?
Given: P1 = 110 kPa
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 2L T1 T2

T1 = 30°C V2 = P1V1T2
P2T1
P2 = 440 kPa
= (110 kPa) (2L) (80°C)
V2 = ? 440 kPa (30°C)
V2 = 1.03 atm
T2 = 80°C

2. Find the volume of a gas at STP when 2.00 liters is collected at 745.0 mm Hg and 25.0 degrees
Celsius. STP refers to "standard temperature and pressure," which is 273 Kelvin and 760.0 mm
Hg.
Given: P1 = 745.0 mm Hg
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 2 L T1 T2

T1 = 25°C / 298 K V2 = P1V1T2

P2T1
P2 = 760.0 mm Hg = 745.0 mm Hg (2 L) (273 K)
V2 = ? 760.0 mm Hg (298 K)
V2 = 1.80 L
T2 = 273 K
3. The pressure of 8.40 L of nitrogen gas in a flexible container is decreased to one-half its original
pressure, and its absolute temperature is increased to double the original temperature. What is the
new volume?
Given: P1 = 2 P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 8.40 L T1 T2

T1 = 1 V2 = P1V1T2
P2T1
P2 = 1 = 2 (8.40 L) (2)
1 (1)
V2 = ?
V2 = 33.6 L
T2 = 2
 4. 1.85 L of a gas is at 98.0 kPa and 22.0°C. What is the volume of the dry gas at STP?
Given: P1 = 98.0 kPa
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 1.85 L T1 T2

T1 = 22.0°C / 295 K V2 = P1V1T2

P2T1
P2 = 760.0 mm Hg = 98.0 kPa (1.85 L) (273 K)
V2 = ? 760.0 mm Hg (295 K)
V2 = 1.61 L
T2 = 273 K
5. 35.4 mL of hydrogen gas is collected at 24.0°C and a total pressure of 745.0 mmHg. What is the
volume of the gas at STP?
Given: P1 = 745.0 mm Hg
P1V1 = P2V2
V1 = 35.4 mL T1 T2

T1 = 24.0°C V2 = P1V1T2
P2T1
P2 = 760.0 mm Hg = 745.0 mm Hg (35.4 mL) (273 K)
V2 = ? 760.0 mm Hg (297 K)
V2 = 31.90 mL
T2 = 273 K
E. IDEAL GAS LAW
- A law relating the pressure, temperature, and volume of an ideal gas. Many common gases
exhibit behavior very close to that of an ideal gas at ambient temperature and pressure. The
ideal gas law was originally derived from the experimentally measured Charles'
law and Boyle's law. Let P be the pressure of a gas, V the volume it occupies,
and T its temperature (which must be in absolute temperature units, i.e., in Kelvin). Then the
ideal gas law states

where n is the number of moles of gas present and R is the universal gas constant, or
equivalently

where N is the number of atoms of gas present and k is Boltzmann's constant.

Boltzmann's constant and the universal gas constant are related by

where is Avogadro's number. Equation (1) can be written in terms of the mass density
and molar mass m of the gas as
 since the number of moles of gas per unit volume is given by

- The number of moles is the fourth variable that can be used along with pressure, volume and
temperature to decrease a gas.

Formula: P = Pressure R = Ideal gas constant

V = Volume T = Temperature
PV = nRT
n = moles

 If the pressure is expressed in atmosphere (atm)

R = 0.0821 L • atm
mol • K

 If the pressure is expressed in kPa

R = 8.314 L • kPa
mol • K
Examples:
1. Determine the number of moles of gas in a 3 L container at 300 K and a pressure of 1.50 atm.
Given: P = 1.50 atm PV = nRT
V=3L
n = PV
n=? RT
= (1.50 atm) (3 L)
R = 0.0821 L • atm 0.0821 L • atm (300 K)
mol • K mol • K
T = 300 K n = 4.5 mol
24.63
n = 0.18 mol

2. 6.2 liters of an ideal gas is contained at 3.0 atm and 37°C. How many moles of this gas are
present?
Given: P = 3.0 atm PV = nRT
V = 6.2 L
n = PV
n=? RT
= (3.0 atm) (6.2 L)
R = 0.0821 L • atm 0.0821 L • atm (310 K)
mol • K mol • K
T = 37°C / 310 K n = 0.75 mol

3. At what temperature will 0.654 moles of neon gas occupy 12.30 liters at 1.95 atmospheres?
Given: P = 1.95 atm PV = nRT
V = 12.30 L
T = PV
n = 0.654 nR
= (1.95 atm) (12.30 L)
R = 0.0821 L • atm 0.0821 L • atm (0.654 mol)
mol • K mol • K
T=? T = 447 K

4. 5 moles of nitrogen gas is in a 100 liter fixed cylinder at 300 Kelvin. What is the pressure of the
gas?
Given: P = ?
PV = nRT
V = 100 L
n = PV
n = 5 mol RT
= (3.0 atm) (6.2 L)
R = 0.0821 L • atm 0.0821 L • atm (310 K)
mol • K mol • K
T = 300 K n = 0.75 mol

5. A sample of argon gas at STP occupies 56.2 liters. Determine the number of moles of argon and
the mass in the sample.
Given: P = 1.00 atm PV = nRT
V = 56.2 L n = PV
n=? RT
= (1.00 atm) (56.2 L)
R = 0.0821 L • atm 0.0821 L • atm (273 K)
mol • K mol • K
T = 273 K n = 2.51 mol = 100 g (to three significant figures)