Boyle's Law Calculator

What is Boyle's Law?

Boyle's Law is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature. It states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume, given that the temperature and amount of gas remain constant.

How to Calculate Using Boyle's Law

To use Boyle's Law in calculations, follow these steps:

1. Identify the initial pressure (P₁) and volume (V₁)
2. Determine which variable (pressure or volume) is changing
3. Apply Boyle's Law equation to find the unknown variable
4. Solve for the unknown variable

Formula

Boyle's Law is expressed mathematically as:

\[ P_1V_1 = P_2V_2 \]

Where:

• \(P_1\) is the initial pressure
• \(V_1\) is the initial volume
• \(P_2\) is the final pressure
• \(V_2\) is the final volume

Calculation Steps

Let's calculate the final volume when pressure changes, given:

• Initial pressure (P₁) = 2.0 atm
• Initial volume (V₁) = 5.0 L
• Final pressure (P₂) = 4.0 atm

1. Apply Boyle's Law equation: \[ P_1V_1 = P_2V_2 \]
2. Substitute known values: \[ (2.0 \text{ atm})(5.0 \text{ L}) = (4.0 \text{ atm})V_2 \]
3. Solve for V₂: \[ V_2 = \frac{(2.0 \text{ atm})(5.0 \text{ L})}{4.0 \text{ atm}} = 2.5 \text{ L} \]

Example and Visual Representation

Let's visualize Boyle's Law with our example:

This visual representation shows:

• The initial state with a larger volume and lower pressure
• The final state with a smaller volume and higher pressure
• The inverse relationship between pressure and volume
• The constant product of pressure and volume (P₁V₁ = P₂V₂)