According to Boyle's law, what happens to the volume of a gas when its pressure increases?

According to Boyle's law, what happens to the volume of a gas when its pressure increases?

• A. Volume increases
• B. Volume decreases
• C. Volume remains the same
• D. Volume fluctuates

Answer: (B)

Boyle's law states that for a given amount of gas at a constant temperature, the volume of the gas is inversely proportional to its pressure. This means that when the pressure exerted on a gas increases, the volume of the gas must decrease, provided that the temperature remains constant.

The relationship can be mathematically expressed as P1V1 = P2V2, where P is pressure and V is volume. When pressure (P) increases (P2 > P1), to maintain the equality, the volume (V) must decrease (V2 < V1). This behavior is a result of gas particles being forced closer together when additional pressure is applied, resulting in a reduction in the space they occupy. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects this principle, demonstrating the inverse relationship between pressure and volume as outlined in Boyle's law.