When the volume of a gas is decreased while the pressure is constant, what happens to the temperature?

Study for the Chemistry Gas Laws Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

When the volume of a gas is decreased while the pressure remains constant, an important principle from gas laws comes into play, particularly Charles's Law. This law states that for a given amount of gas at constant pressure, the volume is directly proportional to its temperature in Kelvin.

Thus, if the volume decreases, to maintain constant pressure, the temperature of the gas must increase. This increase occurs because the molecules in the gas are compressed into a smaller space, which causes them to collide more frequently and with greater energy, leading to a rise in temperature.

Therefore, an increase in temperature is necessary to satisfy the relationship described by Charles's Law, affirming that as volume decreases with constant pressure, the temperature must increase to keep the gas's ability to exert uniform pressure.

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