Which of the following describes Charles's Law?

Which of the following describes Charles's Law?

• A. The volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature
• B. The volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature
• C. The pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature
• D. The temperature of a gas remains constant while its volume changes

Answer: (B)

Charles's Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature, provided that the pressure remains constant. This relationship is mathematically represented as V ∝ T, which implies that as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume also increases, and conversely, when the temperature decreases, the volume decreases. This is a fundamental principle that stems from the kinetic molecular theory, where an increase in temperature results in an increase in the kinetic energy of the gas particles, causing them to move more vigorously and occupy a larger volume. Understanding this relationship is key in many practical applications, such as in hot air balloons, where heating the air inside the balloon increases its volume, allowing it to rise. The law applies to ideal gases and is foundational in the study of gas behavior in thermodynamics.

Charles's Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature, provided that the pressure remains constant. This relationship is mathematically represented as V ∝ T, which implies that as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume also increases, and conversely, when the temperature decreases, the volume decreases. This is a fundamental principle that stems from the kinetic molecular theory, where an increase in temperature results in an increase in the kinetic energy of the gas particles, causing them to move more vigorously and occupy a larger volume.

Understanding this relationship is key in many practical applications, such as in hot air balloons, where heating the air inside the balloon increases its volume, allowing it to rise. The law applies to ideal gases and is foundational in the study of gas behavior in thermodynamics.