Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Boyle's Law

An ideal gas law stating that pressure is inversely proportional to volume at constant temperature.

Governing formula P1 V1 = P2 V2 (at constant T)
SI unit Pa·m³

In depth

Decreasing container volume forces gas molecules into a smaller space, increasing wall collision frequency per unit area and doubling pressure when volume is halved.

Examples in the real world

Squeezing a party balloon reducing its volume while dramatically increasing internal air pressure.