GAS LAWS

Connections
Table of Contents
Boyle’s law Building on…..
Charles’ law
• Pressure-gas pressure and
Relationship between celcius and absolute scale
atmospheric pressure
Assumptions of gas laws
• Thermal Expansion – Expansion of
Revision Exercise
gases
• Gas Laws in Chemistry form 3.

Arriving at……
Specific Objectives
• The Gas Laws – stating, and
By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:
explaining how the laws can be
a) state the gas laws for an ideal gas verified.
b) verify experimentally the gas laws
• Working out calculations on gas laws
c) explain how the absolute zero temperature may be
• Explaining the gas laws in terms of
obtained from the pressure - temperature and
the kinetic theory and the basic
volume - temperature graphs
assumptions of the ideal gas.
d) state the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of
gases
Looking forward to….
e) explain the gas laws using the kinetic theory of gases
f) solve numerical problems involving gas laws.
• Thin Lenses (form 4)
(15 Lessons)

Content
1. Boyles law, Charles’ law, pressure law, absolute zero
2. Kelvin scale of temperature
1
3. Gas laws and kinetic theory of gases (P= not required)
𝜌
PV
4. Problems on gas laws [including = constant]
T
2 Thermodynamics

GAS LAWS

An inflated balloon may burst when it gets warmer. The gas trapped inside the balloon is
subject to changes in pressure, volume and temperature.
To explain why the balloon may burst, the relationships between these changes are
investigated and they constitute what are termed as gas laws.

Boyle’s Law
Boyle’s law states that the pressure of a fixed mass of a gas is inversely proportional to its
volume, provided the temperature is kept constant.
Stated in symbols;
1 1
P α , or P = k ×
V V
So, PV = constant
The sketches below show the relationship between pressure P and volume V of a fixed mass of
gas.

1
The graph of P against V is a smooth curve, as shown in (a), while that of P against is a
V
straight line passing through the origin. That of PV against P is a straight line parallel to the x-
axis. Since PV = constant;
P1V1 = P2V2 = constant, for any given mass of a gas.
At different temperatures, similar curves P against V are obtained as in. Each is called an
isothermal curve.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 3
1
(a) Pressure-Volume isothermal curve. (b). P against for the isothermal curves.
V
1
When P is plotted against for each of the isothermals, the figure (b) above is obtained.
V
Using Kinetic Theory to Explain Boyle's Law
• If the volume of a vessel containing a fixed mass of gas is halved, the number of molecules
per unit volume will be doubled. The number of collisions per unit time, and therefore the
rate of change of momentum, will also be doubled. Consequently, halving the volume of the
gas doubles the pressure, which is the import of the Boyle’s law.
• In a demonstration using a syringe, as volume of gas is reduced, there is increase in number
of molecular collisions resulting to increase in pressure.

Example 1
The diagram below shows an air bubble of volume 2.0 cm3 at the bottom of a lake 40 m
deep.
Determine the volume just below the surface S if the
atmospheric pressure is equivalent to a height of 10 m of
water.
Solution
10 m height = 1 atm.
40 m height = 4 atm.
Pressure P1 at the bottom = (1 + 4) = 5 atm
Pressure P2 at surface = 1 atm
Volume V1 at bottom = 2 cm3
By Boyle’s law, P1V1 = P2V2
5 × 2 = 1 × V2
V2 = 10
Volume just below surface is 10 cm3.

Example 2
3
The volume V of a gas at pressure P is reduced to V without change of temperature.
8
Determine the new pressure of the gas.
Solution
PV = constant
3
P1V1 = P2V2 ⇒P1V1 = P2 × V
8
8
P2 = 𝑃1
3
8
The new pressure of the gas is P.
3
4 Thermodynamics

Example 3
A column of air 26 cm long is trapped by mercury thread 5 cm long as shown in (a). When
the tube is inverted as in (b), the air column becomes 30
cm long. Determine the value of atmospheric pressure.
Solution
In (a), gas pressure = atm pressure+ hρg.
In (b), gas pressure = atm. pressure – hρg, where ρ is the
density of mercury.
From Boyle’s law;
P1V1 = P2V2
Let the atmospheric pressure be height ‘x’ of mercury.
So, (x + 5) 0.26 = (x – 5) 0.30
0.26x + 1.30 = 0.3x – 1.5
2.8 = 0.04x
2.8
∴x= = 70 cm
0.04

Charles’ Law
Charles law relates the volume of a gas with its absolute (or Kelvin) temperature.
Charles’ law states that the volume of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its
absolute temperature if the pressure is kept constant.
In symbols, Charles’ law can be stated as follows;
V α T or V = kT, where k is a constant.
V1 V2
Hence, = = constant
T1 T2
Experiment to verify Charles law
The set-up below can be used to show how temperature affects volume of a given mass of a gas
at constant pressure.
The flask is grasped firmly and the water index observed.
The water index rises higher when the flask is held and falls
when the hands are withdrawn, showing that the volume of
gas increases when its temperature is raised.

As the temperature rises, the height h (volume) also

increases. A plot of volume against temperature is
represented alongside.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 5

The graph is a straight line, indicating proportional changes in volume and temperature.
However, it does not pass through the origin.
If the graph is extrapolated, it cuts the temperature axis at about –273°C. At this temperature,
the volume of the gas is assumed to be zero.
This temperature, –273°C, at which the volume, pressure of the gas and kinetic energy of the
particles are assumed to be zero is ideally the lowest temperature a gas can attain and
therefore called absolute zero.
A plot of volume against absolute temperature gives
a straight line through the origin, as shown below.
It follows that the volume of the gas is directly
proportional to its absolute (or Kelvin) temperature

It is impossible to get to
absolute zero for gases
because they condense
(liquify) at fairly higher
temperatures.

Using Kinetic Theory to explain Charles’ Law

• When a gas is heated, the kinetic energy and the velocity of the molecules increases. As
the temperature rises, the molecules move faster.
• If the volume of the container were constant, the pressure resulting from the collisions of
the molecules with the walls would increase due to greater rate of change of
momentum per unit time.
• But since Charles’ law requires that the pressure be constant, then the volume must
increase accordingly so that although the molecules are moving faster, the number of
collisions at the walls of the container per unit time is reduced, since the distance between
the walls is increased by increasing the volume.
Relation Between Celsius and Absolute scale
The zero Kelvin (0 K) corresponds to –273°C
while 0°C corresponds to 273 K.
It follows that to change from Celsius to
Kelvin, we add 273 to the Celsius
temperature, i.e.;
θ°C = T
= (θ + 273) K

Example 1
The temperature of a gas is –42°C. What is this temperature on the Kelvin scale?
Solution
Temperature T = (– 42 + 273) K = 231 K

Example 2
0.02 m3 of a gas at 27°C is heated at constant pressure until the volume is 0.03 m 3.
Calculate the final temperature of the gas in °C.
6 Thermodynamics

Solution
𝑉
= constant (pressure being constant)
𝑇
𝑉1 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
0.02 0.03
=
300 𝑇2
0.03
T2 = 300 × = 450 K
0.02
= (450 – 273) °C= 177°C

Pressure Law
This law relates pressure of fixed mass of a gas to its absolute temperature at constant volume.
Pressure law states that the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its
absolute temperature, provided the volume is kept constant.
In symbols;
P α T (V constant)
Or P = kT, where k is constant
P1 P2
So, =
T1 T2
A plot of pressure against temperature gives
the graph shown alongside.
When the graph is extrapolated, it cuts the
temperature axis at –273°C, the absolute zero.
The figure alongside shows the same graph of an
absolute temperature scale.

On the absolute scale, the pressure of a gas is

directly proportional to its absolute temperature.

Using Kinetic Theory to Explain Pressure Law

• In gases, pressure is as a result of bombardment of the walls of the container by the gas
molecules. When the molecules of the gas bombard and rebound from the walls of the
container, a change of momentum takes place.
• The number of bombardments per unit time constitutes a rate of change of momentum,
which according to Newton’s second law of motion, constitutes a force. This force per unit
area emerges as the pressure of the gas.
• When a gas is heated, its molecules gain kinetic energy and move about faster. If the volume
of the container is constant, the molecules will bombard the walls many more times per
unit time, and with greater momenta. The total rate of change of momentum will therefore
increase. The resulting force per unit area, which is the pressure, will increase.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 7

Example 1
A cylinder contains oxygen at 0°C, and 1 atmosphere pressure. What will be the pressure in
the cylinder if the temperature rises to 100°C?
Solution
𝑃
=constant
𝑇
1 𝑃2
=
273 273
373
P2 = = 1.37 atmospheres
273
Example 2
At 20°C, the pressure of a gas is 50 cm of mercury. At what temperature would the
pressure of the gas fall to 10 cm of mercury?
Solution
𝑃1 𝑃2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
50 10
=
293 𝑇2
2930
T2 = = 58.6 K (or -214.4 °C)
50
Equation of State
A general gas law relating the changes in pressure,
volume and the absolute temperature can be
derived from the three gas laws.
Consider a fixed mass of gas which is being
changed from state A to state B through an
intermediate state C, as shown below .
From A to C, the gas is heated at constant pressure
P1. By Charles’ law;
V1 Vc
=
T1 T2
V1 T2
Volume VC in state C, VC =
T1
From C to B, the gas pressure is changed from P1 to P2 at constant temperature T2.
By Boyle’s law, P1Vc = P2V2
P1 Vc
V2 =
P2
V1 T2
But VC =
T1
P1 V1 T2
∴V2 =
P 2 T1
P1 V1 P2 V2
Rearranging, =
T1 T2
PV
In general, = k, where k is a constant.
T
8 Thermodynamics

This is known as the equation of state, in which k depends on the type and quantity of the gas.
PV
The equation changes to = R when the amount of gas is 1 mole. Constant R is same for all
T
gases, and is called the universal gas constant.

Example
A mass of 1 200 cm3 of oxygen at 27°C and a pressure 1.2 atmosphere is compressed until
its volume is 600 cm3 and its pressure is 3.0 atmosphere. Calculate the temperature of the
gas after compression in °C.
Solution
V1 = 1 200 cm3; V2 = 600 cm3; T1 = 27 + 273 = 300 K ; T2 =?
P1 = 1.2 atmosphere; P2 = 3.0 atmosphere
𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑃2 𝑉2
=
𝑇1 𝑇2
𝑃2 𝑉2 𝑇1 3 × 600 × 300
T2 = =
𝑃1 𝑇1 1.2 × 1 200
= 375 K = 102 °C
Assumptions of Gas laws
• When explaining the gas laws using the kinetic theory, both the size of molecules and the
intermolecular forces are assumed to be negligible.
• Real gases have molecules with definite volumes and therefore the idea of zero volume or
zero pressure is not real. Real gases get liquified before zero volume is reached.
• This departure from the gas laws is so particularly true at low temperatures and high
pressures. A gas that would obey the gas laws completely is called ideal or perfect gas.

Recently in KCSE;
1. 2006 Q9
On the axes provided sketch the graph of pressure P against volume V for a fixed mass
of an ideal gas. (1 mark)

2. 2006 Q12
The uniform bar in figure 7 is provided at its midpoint. It is in equilibrium under the

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 9

action of two identical balloons filled with equal volumes of different light gases at the
same temperature.

Explain why the bar may not remain in equilibrium if the temperature of the
surrounding changes.
(2 marks)

3. 2006 Q16; 2016 Q15

(a) State what is meant by an ideal gas? (1
mark)

(b) The pressure acting on a gas in a container was changed steadily while the
temperature of the gas maintained constant. The value of volume V of the gas
was measured for various values of pressure. The graph in figure 9 shows the
1
relation between the pressure, p and the reciprocal of volume V

(i) Suggest how the temperature of the gas could be kept constant. (1 mark)

(ii) Given that the relation between the pressure P1 and the volume, V1 of the
gas is given by PV = k where k is a constant, use the graph to determine
the value of k.
(4 marks)

(iii) What physical quantity does k represent? (1 mark)

10 Thermodynamics

(iv) State one precautions you would take when performing such an
experiment
(1 mark)

(c) A gas occupies a volume of 4000 litres at a temperature of 37 0C and normal

atmospheric pressure. Determine the new volume of the gas if it is heated at
constant pressure to a temperature of 67 0C.
(normal atmospheric pressure P=1.01 x 105 pa) (4 marks)

4. 2007 Q12, 13
The graph in figure 7 shows the relationship between the pressure and temperature
for an ideal gas. Use the information in the figure to answer questions 12 and 13

12. State the unit of the horizontally axis. (1

mark)

13. Write a statement of the gas law represented by the relationship. (1

mark)

5. 2008 Q17
(a) What is meant by absolute zero temperature? (1 mark)

Figure 10 shows a set up to investigate the relationship between temperature and

volume for a certain gas.

(b) State two factors that are kept constant, in order to determine the relationship.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 11

(2 marks)

(c) The graph in Figure 11 shows the relationship between volume and
temperature for the experiment.

(i) What was the volume of the gas at 0 °C? (1 mark)

(ii) At what temperature would the volume of the gas be zero? (1
mark)
(iii) Explain why the temperature in part (ii) above cannot be achieved.

(2 marks)

(d) A sealed gas cylinder contains 300cm3 of certain gas at a temperature 25 °C, and
at a pressure of 9.5 × 104pa. The gas in the cylinder was cooled to 10 °C. Determine
the new pressure of the gas in the cylinder. (4
marks)

6. 2009 Q13
State what is meant by absolute zero temperature (zero Kelvin or 273 °C) (1
mark)

7. 2009 Q18
(a) State the pressure law for an ideal gas (1
mark)

(b) An air bubble is released at the bottom of a tall jar containing a liquid. The
height of the
liquid column is 80 cm. The volume of the bubble increases from 0.5 cm3 at the
bottom of the liquid to 1.15 cm3 at the top.
Figure 11 shows the variations of pressure, P, on the bubble with the reciprocal
1
of volume, , as it rises in the liquid.
V
12 Thermodynamics

(i) State the reason why the volume increases as the bubble rises in the
liquid column.
(1 mark)

(i) From the graph, determine the pressure on the bubble:

(I) At the bottom of the liquid column; (2
marks)
(II) At the top of the liquid column (1 mark)

(iii) Hence determine the density of the liquid in kgm-3 (3

marks)

(iv) What is the value of the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding?

(1 mark)

(c) A rubber tube is inflated to pressure of 2.7 x 105 Pa and volume 3800 cm3 at a
temperature
of 25 °C. It is then taken to another place where the temperature is 15 °C and
the pressure 2.5 × 10 Pa. Determine the new volume.
5

(4 marks)

8. 2010 Q11
When a bicycle pump was sealed at the nozzle and the handle slowly pushed towards
the nozzle, the pressure of the air inside increased. Explain this observation.
(1 mark)

9. 2011 Q8
When the temperature of a gas in a closed container is raised, the pressure of the gas
increases. Explain how the molecules of the gas cause the increase in pressure.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 13

(2 marks)

10. 2012 Q8
In verifying the pressure law of gases, the temperature and pressure of a gas are varied
at constant volume. State the condition necessary for the law to hold. (1
mark)

11. 2012 Q15

(a) Figure 6 shows a graph of volume against temperature for a given mass of gas.

Use the graph to determine the absolute zero temperature in °C. (2

marks)

(b) Figure 7 shows a horizontal tube containing air trapped by a mercury

thread of length
24 cm. The length of the enclosed air column is 15 cm. The atmospheric pressure
is
76 cmHg.

(i) State the pressure of the enclosed air. (1

mark)
(ii) The tube is now held in a vertical position with the open end facing
upwards as shown in Figure 8.
14 Thermodynamics

Determine:
(I) The pressure of the enclosed air. (2 marks)

(II) The length (l) of the enclosed air column (2 marks)

(c) In an experiment to demonstrate atmospheric pressure, a plastic bottle is

partially filled with hot water and the bottle is then tightly corked. After
some time, the bottle starts to get deformed.
(i) State the purpose of the hot water. (1 mark)
(ii) State the reason why the bottle gets deformed. (1 mark)
(iii) Explain your answer in c (ii). (2
marks)

12. 2013 Q12

State why it is necessary to leave an air space in a closed glass bottle of water when is
to be kept in a refrigerator.
(1 mark)

13. 2013 Q17

Figure 11 shows an insulated cylinder fitted with a pressure gauge, a heating coil and a
frictionless piston of cross - sectional area 100 cm2.

(a) While the piston is at position O, the pressure of the enclosed gas is 10 Ncm2 at a
temperature of 27 °C. When a 10 kg mass is placed on the piston, it
comes to rest at position A without change in the temperature of the
gas.

(i) Determine the new reading on the pressure gauge. (4

marks)

(ii) State with a reason how the value obtained in (i) compares with the initial
pressure.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 15

(2 marks)

(b) The gas is now heated by the heating coil so that the piston moves back to the
original position O.
(i) State the reading on the pressure gauge. (1 mark)
(ii) Determine the temperature of the gas in °C. (4
marks)
(Take g = 10 Nkg-1)

14. 2014 Q17 (a), (b)

(a) Along horizontal capillary tube of uniform bore sealed at one end contains dry
air trapped by a drop of mercury. The length of the air column is 142 mm at 17 °C.
Determine the length of the air column at 25 °C. (3 marks)

(b) The pressure of the air inside a car tyre increases if the car stands out in the sun
for some time on a hot day. Explain the pressure increase in terms of the kinetic
theory of gases.
(3 marks)

15. 2015 Q17 (a-c)

(a) Figure 11 shows a graph of pressure (p) against volume (v) for a fixed mass of a
gas at constant temperature

1
In the space provided, sketch the corresponding graph of P against (1 mark)
V

(b) Explain the pressure law using the kinetic theory of gases (3
marks)

(c) 20 cm3 of a gas exerts a pressure of 760 mmHg at 25 °C. Determine the
temperature of the gas when the pressure increases to 900 mmHg and the
volume reduces to 15 cm 3

(4 marks)

16. 2017 Q9
Figure 2 shows a round bottomed flask fitted with a long capillary tube containing a
drop of coloured water.
16 Thermodynamics

The flask is immersed in ice water for some time. State the observation made. (2
marks)

17. 2017 Q10

State one assumption for the experiments carried out to verity the gas laws. (1 mark)

18. 2017 Q18 (c)

Figure 9 shows two identical cans U and V each with a small opening at the top.
Different amounts of water were put into the cans and heated until the water
started to boil.

Explain what will be observed when both cans are then suddenly dipped into a cold
water bath.
(3 marks)
19. 2018 Q10
Figure 6 shows the relationship between volume and pressure for a certain gas.

Name the law that the gas obeys. (1 mark)

20. 2018 Q18

(a) State two quantities that must be kept constant in order to verify Boyle's law.

@VictorVC
 GAS LAWS 17

(2
marks)

(b) An air bubble at the bottom of a beaker full of water becomes larger as it rises to
the surface. State the reason why:
(i) the bubble rises to the surface; (1 mark)

(ii) it becomes larger as it rises. (1 mark)

(c) State two assumptions made in explaining the gas laws using the kinetic theory
of gases. (2
marks)

(d) Figure 11 shows an incomplete experimental set up that was prepared by a

student to verily one of the gas laws.

(i) State with a reason which one of the laws may be verified using the set
up. (2 marks)

(ii) State what the student left out in the diagram of the set up. (1 mark)

(e) The volume of a fixed mass of a gas reduced from 500 cm3 to 300 cm3 at constant
pressure. The initial temperature was 90K. Determine the final temperature.
(3 marks)

21. 2019 Q18

(a) Figure 9 shows a graph of pressure against temperature for a fixed mass of gas at
constant volume
18 Thermodynamics

From the graph, determine that values of n and c given that P = nT + c where n
and c are constants. (4
marks)

(b) Explain why it is not possible to obtain zero pressure of a gas in real life
situation.
(2 marks)

(c) A fixed mass of a gas occupies 1.5 x10-3 m3 at a pressure of 760mmHg and
temperature of 273 K. Determine the volume the gas will occupy at a
temperature of 290K and a pressure of 720mmHg.
(3 marks)

(d) State any three assumptions made in kinetic theory of gases. (3 marks)

@VictorVC