1. What is Boyle's law?

• State the definition of the law in words.

• What are the assumptions of Boyle's law?

• Write at least one mathematical equation that represents the law.

• What can be calculated with Boyle's law?

• Using a gas-filled balloon as an example, describe what is happening to the gas molecules inside the balloon before and after you squeeze it.

Answer: Boyle's Law states if the temperature of gas remains the same, adding pressure will decrease the volume of the gas.

Explanation: The assumptions of Boyle's law basically states that if the temperature is constant, pressurizing the gas will cause a decrease in the overall volume of the gas.

The law can be represented with the following equation:

P1 x V1 = P2 x V2

Boyle's law can calculate the volume of a gas after it undergoes a pressure change. For example, if the volume of a gas is equal to 2.2 liters at a pressure of 1.3 atm, what happens to the volume of the gas if the pressure is decreased to 0.75 atm? You can determine that after plugging in the values into the equation.

1.3 atm x 2.2 L = 0.75 x V2

Next, multiply 1.3 atm by 2.2 L. Then, divide both sides of the equation by 0.75 to get 3.81, which can be rounded to 3.8. The answer is 3.8 L = V2.

So, this shows that when the pressure is decreased, the volume increases. The relationship between pressure and volume is inversely proportional, and the opposite would happen if the pressure was increased.

If you had a balloon, the gas molecules inside would be constantly in motion, and all spaced out. However, if the balloon was put under pressure, the molecules would become more closely packed together as the space decreased inside. So, according to Boyle's Law, the volume inside the balloon would decrease due to the pressure increasing if the temperature is constant.