Which equation expresses Boyle's law for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature?

Study for the Cambridge Science – States of Matter Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Ready yourself for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which equation expresses Boyle's law for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature?

Explanation:
When the amount of gas is fixed and the temperature stays the same, pressure and volume move in opposite directions so that their product stays the same. If you compress the gas (volume goes down), the gas molecules hit the container walls more often, so the pressure rises; if you allow the gas to expand (volume goes up), the pressure drops. This inverse relationship is what Boyle’s law captures: P1V1 = P2V2. In words, the pressure–volume product is constant for a given amount of gas at constant temperature. The other options involve temperature or the amount of gas changing, or describe different gas laws, so they don’t describe this specific scenario.

When the amount of gas is fixed and the temperature stays the same, pressure and volume move in opposite directions so that their product stays the same. If you compress the gas (volume goes down), the gas molecules hit the container walls more often, so the pressure rises; if you allow the gas to expand (volume goes up), the pressure drops. This inverse relationship is what Boyle’s law captures: P1V1 = P2V2. In words, the pressure–volume product is constant for a given amount of gas at constant temperature. The other options involve temperature or the amount of gas changing, or describe different gas laws, so they don’t describe this specific scenario.

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