Boyle’s Law

The effects of pressure on the volume of gas for a given amount of gas at constant temperature was studied by Robert Boyle in 1662 for different gases. He observed that if the volume of gas is doubled the pressure is halved and vice versa.

Boyle’s law states that at constant temperature, the volume of a given amount of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure.

V ∝ 1/p

p₁V₁ = p₂V₂

When the pressure (p) of the gas is plotted against volume (V) of the gas, the exponential curve is obtained. However when the pressure of the gas is plotted against 1/V, a straight line is obtained. If the product of pressure and volume (pV) is plotted against pressure (p) a straight line parallel to x-axis (pressure is axis) is obtained.