By: Emily Gates & Courtney Albrecht Boyle’s Law By: Emily Gates & Courtney Albrecht

Robert Boyle In the 1700’s Robert Boyle studied the relationship between pressure and volume at constant temperature. It was brought to attention by friends Henry Power and Richard Towneley. Relationship is called Boyle’s Law in honor of his discovery.

Equation PV = k P is the pressure, and V is the volume. k is a constant, & has units of force times distance. The unit of k will not change as the pressure and volume are changed. Practical math expression: P1V1 = P2V2

Boyle’s Experiment J – shaped piece of glass that was sealed at one end. Gas was trapped in the sealed end of tube, and various amounts of mercury were added to vary pressure. This way Boyle was able to examine the P/V relationship.

COOL STUFF! If the volume is increased, the gas molecules have farther to go and will compact the container walls, which means the gas pressure will be less.