Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

According to Boyle's Law, how does the volume of a gas relate to pressure at constant temperature?

1. Volume increases as pressure increases.

2. Volume decreases as pressure decreases.

3. Volume varies directly with pressure.

4. Volume remains constant regardless of pressure.

The correct answer is: Volume decreases as pressure decreases.

The relationship defined by Boyle's Law states that the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the pressure exerted on it, provided the temperature remains constant. This means that as pressure decreases, the volume of the gas increases. In practical terms, if you were to decrease the volume of a gas by applying more pressure, you would see the volume shrink. Conversely, if you were to reduce the pressure on a gas, its volume would expand. The correct connection revolves around this inverse relationship: when one quantity goes up, the other goes down. Therefore, when pressure decreases, the volume of the gas increases, aligning perfectly with the concept behind Boyle's Law. This core principle of gas behavior is fundamental in understanding how gases react under different conditions.