Charles's Law is a fundamental principle in gas physics that describes the relationship between the volume and temperature of a gas at constant pressure. It states that the volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature (measured in Kelvin) when the pressure is held constant.
Mathematically, Charles's Law can be expressed as:
\[ \frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2} \]
Where:
- \(V_1\) and \(V_2\) are the initial and final volumes of the gas,
- \(T_1\) and \(T_2\) are the initial and final absolute temperatures of the gas.
In simpler terms, as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume also increases, provided the pressure remains unchanged. Conversely, if the temperature decreases, the volume will also decrease.
Key points about Charles's Law:
- It applies to ideal gases under the assumption that the gas behaves ideally.
- Absolute temperature is used (Kelvin scale) to ensure the law is valid, as it avoids negative values.
- This law is useful in many practical applications, including understanding how gases expand when heated, which is relevant in fields such as meteorology, engineering, and various scientific research areas.