Boyle’s law – verifying the classical statement “The absolute pressure of a given mass of a perfect gas varies inversely as its volume when the temperature remains constant.” Is this the correct statement of Boyle’s law?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Yes

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Boyle’s law is one of the foundational gas laws, describing how pressure and volume relate during isothermal (constant-temperature) transformations of a fixed mass of ideal gas.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Fixed amount of a perfect (ideal) gas.
  • Temperature held constant.
  • Quasi-equilibrium changes so the state equation applies continuously.


Concept / Approach:
For an ideal gas, pV = mRT. Holding T and m constant makes the right-hand side constant, so pV = constant. Therefore p ∝ 1/V (inverse proportionality), which is exactly the statement given.



Step-by-Step Solution:
Write ideal gas law: pV = mRT.Hold T constant and m fixed → pV = constant.Rearrange: p = constant / V → p varies inversely with V.Conclude: the statement given is the classical wording of Boyle’s law.



Verification / Alternative check:
p–V isotherms for ideal gases are rectangular hyperbolas. Experimental data for many gases at modest pressures approximate this behaviour, validating Boyle’s law as a limiting relation.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • “No” and conditional variants contradict the ideal-gas model where the law holds regardless of gas type at low to moderate pressures.
  • Referencing Charles’s law is incorrect; that pertains to V ∝ T at constant pressure.


Common Pitfalls:
Using gauge pressure instead of absolute; gas laws require absolute pressure and temperature for correct proportionalities.



Final Answer:
Yes

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