Chapter 6 Gases

6.4
Temperature and Volume
(Charles’ Law)

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Publishing as Benjamin Cummings

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Charles’ Law

In Charles’ Law,
• the Kelvin temperature
of a gas is directly
related to the volume.
• P and n are constant.
• when the temperature of
a gas increases, its
volume increases.

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Charles’ Law: V and T

• For two conditions, Charles’ Law is written

V1 = V2 (P and n constant)
T1 T2

• Rearranging Charles’ Law to solve for V2

T2 x V1 = V2 x T1
T1 T1

V2 = V1 x T2
T1

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Learning Check

Solve Charles’ Law expression for T2.

V1 = V2
T1 T2

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Solution

V1 = V2
T1 T2

Cross multiply to give

V1T2 = V2T1

Isolate T2 by dividing through by V1

V1T2 = V2T1
V1 V1
T2 = T1 x V2
V1

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Calculations Using Charles’ Law

A balloon has a volume of 785 mL at 21°C. If the

temperature drops to 0°C, what is the new volume of
the balloon (P constant)?

1. Set up data table:

Conditions 1 Conditions 2
V1 = 785 mL V2 = ?
T1 = 21°C = 294 K T2 = 0°C = 273 K

Be sure to use the Kelvin (K) temperature in

gas calculations.

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Calculations Using Charles’ Law
(continued)

2. Solve Charles’ law for V2:

V1 = V2
T1 T2

V2 = V1 x T2
T1
V2 = 785 mL x 273 K = 729 mL
294 K

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Learning Check

A sample of oxygen gas has a volume of 420 mL

at a temperature of 18°C. At what temperature
(in °C) will the volume of the oxygen be 640 mL
(P and n constant)?

1) 443°C
2) 170°C
3) - 82°C

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Solution

2) 170°C

T2 = T1 x V2
V1
T2 = 291 K x 640 mL = 443 K
420 mL
= 443 K - 273 K = 170°C

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Learning Check

Use the gas laws to complete sentence with

1) increases 2) decreases.

A. Pressure _______, when V decreases.

B. When T decreases, V _______.
C. Pressure _______ when V changes from 12 L to
24 L
D. Volume _______when T changes from 15 °C to
45°C

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Solution

Use the gas laws to complete with

1) increases 2) decreases.

A. Pressure 1) Increases, when V decreases.

B. When T decreases, V 2) Decreases.
C. Pressure 2) Decreases when V changes from 12 L to
24 L
D. Volume 1) Increases when T changes from 15°C to
45°C

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