Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

Which gas law is commonly referred to as affecting the volume and pressure of gases?

1. Dalton's Law

2. Charles's Law

3. Boyle's Law

4. Henry's Law

The correct answer is: Boyle's Law

Boyle's Law is the gas law that specifically describes the relationship between the volume and pressure of a gas at constant temperature. According to this law, if the volume of a gas increases, the pressure decreases, provided the temperature remains unchanged. This inverse relationship is crucial for understanding how gases behave under different physical conditions. For instance, if a gas is compressed to a smaller volume, its particles are forced closer together, resulting in more frequent collisions with the walls of its container. This leads to an increase in pressure. Conversely, if the gas is allowed to expand, the pressure decreases as the particles have more room to move and collide less frequently with the container walls. This law is fundamental in various fields, including medicine, where it applies to respiratory physiology and the functioning of different medical devices. Other laws mentioned, like Dalton's Law, pertains to the partial pressures of gases in a mixture, Charles's Law addresses the relationship between volume and temperature, and Henry's Law deals with the solubility of gases in liquids with respect to pressure. While all are significant in the study of gas behaviors, Boyle's Law directly and specifically delineates the interplay between volume and pressure, making it the correct choice in this context.