How are absolute temperature and volume of a gas related?

1 Answer
Ernest Z. · Dwayne M.
Jan 27, 2014

The volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature.

More specifically, for a fixed mass of gas at a constant pressure, the volume (V) is directly proportional to the absolute temperature (T). This is Charles’ Law.

V ∝ T

V = kT, where k is a proportionality constant.

#V/T# = k

Since k is a constant,

#(V₁)/(T₁) = (V₂)/(T₂)#

EXAMPLE

A gas has a volume of 30.0 cm³ at 30 °C (303 K). What is its volume at 60 °C (333 K)?

Solution

V₁ = 30.0 cm³; T₁ = 303 K; V₂ = ?; T₂ = 333 K

#(V₁)/(T₁) = (V₂)/(T₂)#

V₂ = V₁× #(T₂)/(T₁)# = 30.0 cm³ ×#(333 K)/(303 K)# = 33.0 mL

The absolute temperature increased by a factor of #330/303# = 1.10, and the volume increased by the same factor: #33.0/30.0# = 1.10. The volume is directly to the absolute temperature.

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