Question

Explain Boyle's Law on the basis of the kinetic theory of matter.

Answer 1

Boyle's law on the basis of the kinetic theory of matter:

• According to the kinetic theory of matter, the number of particles present in a given mass and the average kinetic energy is constant.
• If the volume of the given mass of a gas is reduced to half of its original volume, then the same number of particles will have half the space to move.
• As a result, the number of molecules striking the unit area of the walls of the container at a given time will double and the pressure will also double.
• Alternatively, if the volume of a given mass of a gas is doubled at a constant temperature, the same number of molecules will have double the space to move.
• Thus, the number of molecules striking the unit area of the walls of a container at a given time will become one-half of the original value.
• Thus, the pressure will also get reduced to half of the original pressure. Hence, it is seen that if the pressure increases, the volume of a gas decreases at a constant temperature, which is Boyle's law.