The Gas Laws

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Inversely proportional relationship Noun

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[in-vers-lee pro-por-shun-ul ri-ley-shun-ship]

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Inversely proportional relationship

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A relationship between two variables where one increases as the other decreases, maintaining a constant product between them.

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Example: This image shows that in an inversely proportional relationship, as one value (x) increases, the other value (y) decreases in a predictable way.

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Boyle's Law Noun

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[boils law]

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Boyle's Law

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A gas law stating that the volume of a fixed gas amount varies inversely with pressure at a constant temperature.

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Example: This image shows that as the volume of a gas decreases (piston pushed down), its pressure increases, and as the volume increases, its pressure decreases.

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Kinetic-molecular theory Noun

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[ki-net-ik mo-lek-yuh-ler thee-uh-ree]

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Kinetic-molecular theory

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A theory explaining gas behavior based on the idea that gas particles are in constant, random, and rapid motion.

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Example: This image shows that matter is made of tiny particles. In a gas, these particles are far apart and move quickly and randomly, which explains gas properties.

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Direct proportion Noun

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[di-rekt pro-por-shun]

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Direct proportion

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A relationship between two variables where their ratio is a constant value; as one increases, the other increases proportionally.

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Example: This graph shows a direct proportion: as the value on the x-axis (No. of boxes) increases, the value on the y-axis (Amount paid) increases proportionally.

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Kelvin (K) Noun

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[kel-vin]

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Kelvin (K)

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The SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature, which is an absolute scale where 0 K represents absolute zero.

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Example: This diagram compares the Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales, showing that 0 K, or absolute zero, is the coldest possible temperature, equivalent to -273°C.

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Absolute zero Noun

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[ab-suh-loot zee-roh]

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Absolute zero

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The lowest possible theoretical temperature at which atoms are in their lowest possible energy state, equivalent to 0 K.

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Example: This diagram compares three temperature scales to show that absolute zero (0 Kelvin) is the lowest possible temperature, equivalent to -273.15°C and -459.67°F.

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Charles's Law Noun

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[charlz law]

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Charles's Law

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A gas law stating that the volume of a given gas amount is directly proportional to its Kelvin temperature.

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Example: As heat is added, the gas temperature increases (T1 to T2), causing the gas to expand and push up the piston, increasing its volume (V1 to V2).

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Gay-Lussac's Law Noun

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[gey-loo-saks law]

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Gay-Lussac's Law

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A gas law stating that the pressure of a fixed gas amount varies directly with the Kelvin temperature at constant volume.

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Example: Heating a gas in a container with a fixed volume increases the speed of its particles, causing them to hit the container walls more forcefully, which increases the pressure.

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Combined Gas Law Noun

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[kuhm-bahynd gas law]

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Combined Gas Law

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A law relating the pressure, volume, and temperature of a fixed amount of gas in a single expression.

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Example: This image shows the Combined Gas Law formula, which relates a gas's pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T), alongside a hot air balloon example.

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Pressure Noun

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[presh-er]

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Pressure

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The force exerted per unit of area, resulting from the collisions of gas particles with their container walls.

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Example: This image shows that atmospheric pressure is the weight of air above an area; there is less air and lower pressure at higher altitudes.