AEMCA Practice Exam

What does Charles' Law state about the relationship between volume and temperature?

1. When volume increases, temperature decreases

2. When volume decreases, temperature decreases

3. When volume increases, temperature increases

4. Volume and temperature are independent of each other

The correct answer is: When volume increases, temperature increases

Charles' Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature, provided that the pressure remains constant. This means that if the temperature of a gas increases, its volume also increases, and conversely, if the temperature decreases, the volume decreases. This relationship is grounded in the kinetic theory of gases, which posits that as gas molecules are heated, they move more rapidly, causing them to occupy a larger space; hence, the volume expands. This concept is crucial in fields such as physics and chemistry, particularly in understanding gas behaviors under different conditions. The correct understanding of this law reinforces the idea that volume and temperature are not independent; instead, they are intrinsically linked. In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture this direct relationship defined by Charles' Law.