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What happens to the volume of a gas as the pressure increases?

The relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas is inverse. This means that when the pressure of a gas increases, the volume of the gas decreases. The reverse is also true - when the volume of a gas increases, the pressure of the gas decreases. 


The relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas is described by Boyle's Law:


   `~P_1V_1 ` = `~P_2V_2` ` `


`~P_1` = initial pressure


`~V_1` = initial volume


`~P_2` = final pressure


`~V_2` = final volume


Example: A 2.0 L sample of gas has a pressure of 3.0 atm. What will the volume of the gas be if the pressure is increased to 5.0 atm? (Assume that the temperature and number of moles of the gas remains constant.)


   `~P_1` = 3.0 atm


   `~V_1` = 2.0 L


   `~P_2` = 5.0 atm


   `~V_2` = ? L


When these values are plugged into Boyle's Law we get the following result:


   (3.0 atm)(2.0 L) = (5.0 atm)(? L)


       = 1.2 L


Therefore, when the pressure of the gas was increased from 3.0 atm to 5.0 atm, the volume of the gas decreased from 2.0 L to 1.2 L.

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