Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

When discussing gas laws, what role does temperature typically play?

1. It remains constant

2. It affects pressure

3. It influences volume

4. Both B and C

The correct answer is: Both B and C

Temperature is a crucial factor in gas laws, influencing the behavior of gases in regard to both pressure and volume. According to Charles's Law, as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume tends to increase when the pressure is held constant. This is because higher temperatures provide gas molecules with more energy, causing them to move more rapidly and spread apart. On the other hand, Gay-Lussac's Law illustrates that as the temperature of a gas increases, the pressure also increases if the volume is fixed. The kinetic energy of the gas molecules increases with temperature, resulting in more frequent and forceful collisions with the walls of the container, thereby raising the pressure. Therefore, temperature impacts both pressure and volume, making the combination of these effects evident through the relationships established in various gas laws. This is why the correct response encompasses the idea that temperature influences both pressure and volume.