BOYLE'S LAW – EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON THE VOLUME OF A GAS
Introduction
Have you ever noticed that when you press the plunger of a syringe, the air trapped inside occupies
less space? Similarly, when a bicycle pump is used to inflate a tyre, the air inside the pump is
compressed before entering the tyre. These observations demonstrate the relationship between
pressure and volume of a gas. The study of this relationship led to the formulation of Boyle's Law
by the scientist Robert Boyle.
According to the kinetic theory of matter, gas particles are widely spaced and move randomly in
all directions. As these particles collide with the walls of their container, they exert pressure. When
the volume occupied by the gas changes, the frequency of collisions changes, causing the pressure
to change as well.
Effect of Pressure on the Volume of a Gas
When pressure is applied to a gas, the gas particles are forced closer together because there is a
large amount of empty space between them. As a result, the volume occupied by the gas decreases.
Conversely, when the pressure on a gas is reduced, the particles move farther apart and the volume
increases.
This shows that pressure and volume are related. If the temperature remains constant, increasing
the pressure causes the volume to decrease, while decreasing the pressure causes the volume to
increase.
Boyle's Law
Boyle's Law states that: For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the pressure of the
gas is inversely proportional to its volume.
This relationship may be represented as:
PV= constant
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This means that if pressure doubles, volume becomes half. If pressure is reduced to half, volume
doubles.
Experimental Demonstration
A syringe containing trapped air can be used to demonstrate Boyle's Law.
When the plunger is pushed inward, the pressure increases and the volume decreases. When the
plunger is pulled outward, the pressure decreases and the volume increases.
The experiment demonstrates that gases are highly compressible because there are large spaces
between their particles.
Pressure–Volume Graph
When pressure is plotted against volume, a curved graph known as a hyperbola is obtained. This
graph shows the inverse relationship between pressure and volume.
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When pressure is plotted against the reciprocal of volume (1/V), a straight-line graph passing
through the origin is obtained, confirming Boyle's Law.
Applications of Boyle's Law
Boyle's Law has numerous applications in everyday life. A bicycle pump works because
compressing air increases its pressure, forcing it into the tyre. Syringes operate on the same
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principle when drawing in or expelling fluids. Scuba divers experience changes in lung volume
due to variations in water pressure.
Summary
Boyle's Law explains the inverse relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at constant
temperature. When pressure increases, volume decreases, and when pressure decreases, volume
increases. The law has important applications in medicine, engineering and everyday life.
ASSESSMENT (Exam-Type Questions)
1. A fixed mass of gas is kept at constant temperature. State Boyle's Law. [2 marks]
2. Describe what happens to the volume of a gas when its pressure is increased while the
temperature remains constant. Explain your answer using Boyle's Law. [3 marks]
3. State and explain any two practical applications of Boyle's Law in everyday life. [4 marks]
Total: 9 marks
HOMEWORK (Exam-Type Question)
A bicycle pump works by compressing air inside a cylinder. Using Boyle's Law, explain how the
bicycle pump forces air into a tyre. [5 marks]