Humber Admissions Practice Test

According to Charles' Law, how are temperature and volume of a gas related?

1. Their relationship is inverse

2. They have a direct relationship

3. They are unrelated

4. Their relationship changes with pressure

The correct answer is: They have a direct relationship

In the context of Charles' Law, the relationship between the temperature and volume of a gas is direct, meaning that as the temperature increases, the volume of the gas also increases, provided the pressure remains constant. This relationship can be expressed mathematically as V1/T1 = V2/T2, where V represents volume and T represents temperature in Kelvin. This phenomenon occurs because gas molecules, when heated, gain kinetic energy and move faster, causing them to collide with the walls of their container more forcefully and frequently, which results in an increase in volume. Conversely, if the temperature is decreased, the volume decreases as the kinetic energy of the gas molecules reduces, leading to less forceful collisions. This direct relationship illustrates how temperate changes affect gas behavior under constant pressure conditions, making it essential for understanding various applications in physics and engineering. Other options, such as the idea of an inverse relationship or that the relationship is unrelated, do not align with the principles of gas behavior as defined by Charles' Law. Similarly, while pressure can affect the volume of a gas, it does not alter the fundamental direct relationship established by this law when pressure is held constant.