Humber Admissions Practice Test

What principle does Gay-Lussac's Law establish?

1. A relationship between pressure and volume

2. A relationship between temperature and volume

3. A relationship between pressure and temperature

4. A relationship between temperature and mass

The correct answer is: A relationship between pressure and temperature

Gay-Lussac's Law specifically establishes a relationship between the pressure and the absolute temperature of a gas when the volume is held constant. The law states that as the temperature of a gas increases, its pressure also increases, provided the volume does not change. This principle highlights that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature, indicating that if you were to heat a gas in a sealed container, the increase in temperature would result in an increase in pressure. In understanding this law, it’s key to grasp the concept of absolute temperature, which is measured in Kelvin. When dealing with gas laws, the temperature must be in this absolute scale to ensure a correct proportionality with pressure. Thus, the understanding of how pressure reacts to temperature changes demonstrates the essence of Gay-Lussac’s Law.