Jacques Charles investigated the relationship between the Volume of a gas and how it changes with temperature. He noted that the volume of a gas increased with the temperature. Charles's Law states that the volume of a given amount of dry ideal gas is directly proportional to the Kelvin Temperature provided the amount of gas and the pressure remain fixed. When we plot the Volume of a gas against the Kelvin temperature it forms a straight line. The mathematical statement is that the V / T = a constant. For two sets of conditions the following is a math statement of Charles's Law:
An example of Charles's Law would be what happens when a hot air balloon has air heated. The air expands and fills the balloon. Of course, other physical principles cause the balloon to rise against the gravitational force. As the air inside the balloon expands the balloon gets bigger and displaces more air. The displaced air produces a buoyant force that counters the gravitational force and causes the balloon to rise.
So, given a problem:
A gas occupies a volume of 100 mL at 300 K (All temperatures HAVE to be
converted to Kelvins
Let's rewrite that, identifying the variables:
A gas occupies a volume of 100 mL (V1) at 300 K (T1). At what temperature
(T2) will the gas have a volume of 200 mL (V2)?
Setting up the problem, we have:
V1/ T1 = V2 / T2
100 mL / 300K = 200 ml / T2
After cross-multiplying to solve for T2, we get 600 K.
Now it is your turn: If the volume of a gas sample is 500 ml at 25 C what will be its volume at 50 Celsius.
When you have finished getting an answer click
here to check your solution with the correct answer.
R. H. Logan, Instructor of Chemistry, Dallas County Community College
District, North Lake College.
Send Comments to R.H. Logan:
Profchm@aol.com
Revised: 4/27/99
Original Date of Creation: 11/21/96
All contents copyrighted (c) 1996
R.H. Logan, Instructor of Chemistry,DCCCD
All Rights reserved
URL:http://members.aol.com/profchm/charles.html