Pressure & Volume (AQA GCSE Physics)

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Pressure Changes in a Gas

  • If the temperature of a gas remains constant, the pressure of the gas changes when it is:
    • Compressed – decreases the volume which increases the pressure
    • Expanded – increases the volume which decreases the pressure

Gas Volumes at Low Temperatures & High Pressures, downloadable IB Chemistry revision notes

Pressure increases when a gas is compressed

  • The pressure produces a net force at right angles to the wall of the gas container (or any surface)

molecules-and-force-igcse-and-gcse-physics-revision-notes

Gas molecules bouncing off the walls of a container

  • Therefore, if the gas is compressed, the molecules will hit the walls of the container more frequently
  • This creates a larger overall net force on the walls which increases the pressure

Pressure & Volume

  • In a gas, the molecles are widely spread
  • This makes the gas easy to expand and compress
  • Changing the pressure acting on the gas will compress it or allow it to expand if the temperature is kept constant
  • When a gas is compressed, the volume is decreased
    • The density of the gas increases, allowing more frequent collisions of the molecules on the container wall
    • This increases the pressure

States of Matter Volume and Pressure, downloadable IB Chemistry revision notes

Calculating Change in Pressure & Volume

  • For a fixed mass of a gas held at a constant temperature:

pV = constant

  • Where:
    • p = pressure in pascals (Pa)
    • V = volume in metres cubed (m3)

  • This means that the pressure and volume are inversely proportional to each other
    • When the volume decreases (compression), the pressure increases
    • When the volume increases (expansion), the pressure decreases

  • This is because when the volume decreases, the same number of particles collide with the walls of a container but more frequently as there is less space
    • However, the particles still collide with the same amount of force meaning greater force per unit area (pressure)

  • The key assumption is that the temperature and the mass (and number) of the particles remains the same

  • This equation can also be rewritten for comparing the pressure and volume before and after a change in a gas:

P1V1 = P2V2

  • Where:
    • P1 = initial pressure in pascals (Pa)
    • V1 = initial volume in metres cubed (m3)
    • P2 = final pressure in pascals (Pa)
    • V2 = final volume in metres cubed (m3)

  • This equation is sometimes referred to as Boyle's Law

pressure-vs-volume-igcse-and-gcse-physics-revision-notesInitial pressure and volume, P1 and V1, and final pressure and volume, P2 and V2

Worked example

A gas occupies a volume of 0.70 m³ at a pressure of 200 Pa. Calculate the pressure exerted by the gas if it is compressed to a volume of 0.15 m³.Assume that the temperature and mass of the gas stay the same.

Boyle's Law Worked Example

Examiner Tip

Always check whether your final answer makes sense. If the gas has been compressed, the final pressure is expected to be more than the initial pressure (like in the worked example). If this is not the case, double-check the rearranging of any formulae and the values put into your calculator.

Ashika, Physics Project Lead

Teacher tip

Ashika

Physics Project Lead

In my experience, it is very easy for students to overlook the key assumptions of Boyle's law; that (a) the mass, and therefore the number of particles remains the same, and that (b) the temperature remains unchanged. This is a really important piece of information that often comes up in exam questions. Remember that if the mass or temperature is changed for any reason, then Boyle's law will no longer apply. 

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Ashika

Author: Ashika

Expertise: Physics Project Lead

Ashika graduated with a first-class Physics degree from Manchester University and, having worked as a software engineer, focused on Physics education, creating engaging content to help students across all levels. Now an experienced GCSE and A Level Physics and Maths tutor, Ashika helps to grow and improve our Physics resources.