Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

Which law can be used to predict the effect of temperature increase on gas volume?

1. Charles' Law

2. Boyle's Law

3. Dalton's Law

4. Avogadro's Law

The correct answer is: Charles' Law

The law applicable for predicting the effect of temperature increase on gas volume is Charles' Law. This law states that, at constant pressure, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature (measured in Kelvin). In simpler terms, as the temperature of a gas increases, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases, causing them to move more rapidly and occupy a larger volume. Understanding this relationship is crucial in various practical applications, such as in balloons or car tires, where temperature fluctuations can significantly affect size and pressure. For instance, if a balloon is exposed to higher temperatures, the air inside the balloon expands, increasing its volume, assuming the external pressure remains unchanged. The other laws mentioned serve different purposes: Boyle's Law focuses on the relationship between pressure and volume at constant temperature, Dalton's Law addresses the partial pressures of gases in a mixture, and Avogadro's Law relates to the volume of gas and the number of moles present at constant temperature and pressure. Each of these laws covers important aspects of gas behavior, but only Charles' Law specifically relates temperature to volume.