Higher Physics – Unit 1

1.6 – Gas Laws

 Kinetic Theory of Gases
The kinetic model of matter explains the behaviour of gases using
a model.
The model considers gases to be made up from a large number of
very small particles which are far apart, move randomly at high
speeds and collide (elastically) with everything they meet.

Volume
The volume of a gas is taken as the volume of the container.
The volume occupied by the particles themselves is so small it is
neglected.
Temperature
The temperature of a gas depends on the kinetic energy of the gas
particles.
The faster the particles move the greater their kinetic energy
and the higher the temperature.

Pressure
Pressure of a gas is due to the particles colliding with each other
and the walls of the container.
The more frequent and harder the collisions, the greater the
pressure.
Boyles Law
Pressure and Volume
The pressure of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to
its volume.

1
P∝ P × V = constant
V
This is used in the form:
volume
pressure P1 V1 = P2 V2 (m3)
(Pa – Pascal)
** NOT ON DATA SHEET **

Flash Physics Animations – Boyles Law

Fields & P of M --> Boyles Law
Graphs of Relationship

pressure pressure

volume 1
volume

What remains constant throughout?

• temperature of gas,
• mass of gas.
Example 1
A sample of gas has a volume of 30 cm3 at a pressure of 2x105 Pa.
Calculate the new volume of gas when the pressure is increased to
5x105 Pa.

P V = constant
P1 = 2 × 105 Pa P1 V1 = P2 V2
V1 = 30 cm3 (2 × 10 )× 30 = (5 × 10 )× V
5 5
2
P2 = 5 × 105 Pa
6 × 10 = (5 × 10 ) × V
6 5
V2 = ? 2

6 × 10 6
V2 =
5 × 105
V2 = 12 cm3
Worksheet – Boyle’s Laws

Q1 – Q5
 Pressure Law
Pressure and Temperature
A fixed mass of gas at a constant volume is considered.

Flash Physics Animation – Pressure Law

Fields & P of M --> Pressure Law

If the temperature is increased, the particles move with greater

speed and kinetic energy. Collisions are more frequent and with
greater force, causing pressure to increase.
When the temperature is decreased, the particles move with less
speed and kinetic energy. Collisions are less frequent and with
smaller force, causing pressure to decrease.
Graph of Relationship
The result is a straight line that does not pass through the origin.

p
NOT directly
proportional

T / oC
-273

When the graph is extended back until the pressure reaches zero, it
crosses the axis at -273°C.
This is known as absolute zero.
When the pressure is graphed against temperature in kelvin, the graph
shows pressure to be directly proportional to temperature.

p
directly proportional

T/K
0
Relationship
The pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature –
IN KELVIN.

P
P∝T = constant
T
This is used in the form:

P1 P2
pressure = temperature
(Pa – Pascal) T1 T2 (K)
** NOT ON DATA SHEET **

When using this equation – temperature must be in kelvin (K).

What remains constant throughout?
• volume of gas,
• mass of gas.
 Absolute Temperature
The lowest possible temperature is -273°C.
This temperature is called absolute zero.
The absolute temperature scale calls -273°C, zero kelvin (K).

Converting °C to K Converting K to °C
add 273 subtract 273

An increase of 5°C = an increase of 5 K.

No negative temperatures on the kelvin scale.
Pressure At Absolute Zero
At absolute zero, the pressure is zero.
This is because the particles do not move at absolute zero, so there
are no collisions with the container walls.
Hence, there is zero pressure.
 Pressure Law Problems
Example 1
A quantity of gas has a pressure of 2.5x105 Pa at a temperature
of 20 °C.
(a) Calculate the new pressure when the temperature
reaches 37 °C.
(b) State two important assumptions made in part (a).
(a) P
5 = constant
P1 = 2.5 × 10 Pa T
T1 = 20 °C P1 P2
=
= 20 + 273 T1 T2
= 293 K
2.5 × 105 P
T2 = 37 °C = 2
293 310
= 37 + 273
= 310 K 293 × P2 = 310 × (2.5 × 105 )
P2 = ? 77.5 × 106
P2 =
293
P2 = 2.65 × 105 Pa

(b)
Two important assumptions are that:
• the mass of gas is fixed,
• the volume of gas is fixed.
Worksheet – The Pressure Law

Q1 – Q7
 Charles’ Law
Volume and Temperature
A fixed mass of gas at a constant pressure is considered.

Flash Physics Animations – Charles’ Law

Fields & P of M --> Charles’ Law

If the temperature increases, the particles move with a greater

speed and kinetic energy. The volume increases.
If the temperature decreases, the particles move with less speed
and kinetic energy. The volume decreases.
Graph of Relationship
The result is a straight line which does not pass through the origin.
V
NOT directly
proportional
T / oC
-273

When the graph is extended back until the volume reaches zero, it
crosses the axis at -273°C.
When the volume is graphed against temperature in kelvin, the graph
shows volume to be directly proportional to temperature.

directly proportional

T/K
0
Relationship
The volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature –
IN KELVIN.

V
V ∝T = constant
T
This is used in the form:

V1 V2
volume = temperature
(m3) T1 T2 (K)
** NOT ON DATA SHEET **

When using this equation – temperature must be in kelvin (K).

Example 1
There is 50 cm3 of gas at 27 °C collected.
Calculate the volume of gas at 10 °C when the pressure is unchanged.

V
= constant
V1 = 50 cm3 T
V1 V2
T1 = 27 °C =
T1 T2
= 27 + 273
= 300 K 50 V
= 2
T2 = 10 °C 300 283
= 10 + 273 300 × V2 = 283 × 50
= 283 K
14,150
V2 = ? V2 =
300
V2 = 47.2 cm3
Worksheet – Charles’ Law

Q1 – Q7
 Combined Gas Equation
Pressure, Volume and Temperature
In combining Boyle’s Law, the Pressure Law and Charles’ Law we
can get one relationship that relates pressure, volume and
temperature of a fixed mass of gas.

P ×V
= constant
T
This equation is used in the form:

pressure P1 V1 P2 V2 volume
(Pa) = (m3)
T1 T2
** NOT ON DATA SHEET **
temperature
(K)

When using this equation – temperature must be in kelvin (K).

 Gas Laws and Kinetic Theory
Pressure and Volume (Mass and Temperature Constant)
• As volume decreases
• Gas particles are closer together
• Particles hit walls of container more often
• Over a smaller area

So the pressure of the gas increases:

F Repeat for volume
P= F unchanged A increase.
A
Pressure and Temperature (Mass and Volume Constant)
• As temperature rises
• The gas particles move faster
• They hit walls of the container more often and with greater
force (harder)

So the pressure of the gas increases:

F
P= F A unchanged
A

Repeat for temperature

decrease.
Volume and Temperature (Mass and Pressure Constant)
• As temperature rises
• The gas particles move faster
• They hit walls of container with greater force (harder)
• For constant pressure – volume must increase
• This gives bigger area

The pressure of the gas remains unchanged:

F
P= F A
A

Repeat for temperature

decrease.
Worksheet – Combined Gas Equation

Q1 – Q10