How Do Volume, Pressure, and Temperature Interact in a Gas?

AI Thread Summary
The relationship between pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T) of a gas is described by the equation PV/T = constant. When one variable is altered while keeping the others constant, the remaining variable will adjust accordingly; for instance, decreasing volume increases pressure if temperature is constant. This principle explains why compressing gas raises its pressure and highlights the dangers of heating gases, such as in aerosol cans, which can explode if temperature increases while volume remains unchanged. Understanding these relationships is crucial for safely handling gases in various situations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing how changes in one variable affect the others in gas behavior.
tommy1
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can someone explain the the relationship these have to each other? i know that they are either proportional or inverse proportional but i don't know which ones are. Thanks
 
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For a given amount of a gas in a container, PV/T stays constant.

Try leaving anyone thing alone and change one thing, and you can see what happens to the third thing; for example, leave T alone, decrease V, then P must increase. Does it make sense? Does squeezing a gas into a smaller container make its pressure go up? Check.

Why it's dangerous to throw an aerosol can into a campfire. Leave V alone, and increase T, so then P must increase. Kaboom!
 
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mikelepore said:
For a given amount of a gas in a container, PV/T stays constant.

Try leaving anyone thing alone and change one thing, and you can see what happens to the third thing; for example, leave T alone, decrease V, then P must increase. Does it make sense? Does squeezing a gas into a smaller container make its pressure go up? Check.

Why it's dangerous to throw an aerosol can into a campfire. Leave V alone, and increase T, so then P must increase. Kaboom!

oooo ok. thanks man. you also just unintentionally helped me with a worksheet question i was struggling with! thanks again.
 
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