Why Doesn't Decreasing Volume Increase Molecular Speed According to Boyle's Law?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Boyle's Law, which states that volume is inversely proportional to pressure at constant temperature. Participants clarify that decreasing volume increases pressure due to increased particle density, not molecular speed. The equation P = (n/V)RT illustrates that while pressure rises with decreased volume, the average molecular speed remains constant because temperature is unchanged. Thus, the increase in pressure is attributed to a higher number of particles impacting the container walls rather than an increase in individual molecular speeds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Boyle's Law and its implications in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with the ideal gas law, specifically the equation P = (n/V)RT
  • Basic knowledge of molecular kinetics and particle density
  • Concept of momentum in the context of gas particles
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of Boyle's Law in real-world applications
  • Study the relationship between temperature and molecular speed in gases
  • Investigate the kinetic molecular theory of gases for deeper insights
  • Learn about the effects of changing pressure and volume on gas behavior in closed systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, chemistry enthusiasts, and professionals in fields related to thermodynamics and gas laws will benefit from this discussion.

Kajan thana
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Hi guys,
From Boyles Law, we know that Volume is inversely proportional to Pressure give that the temperature is kept.
My question, if we decrease the volume, the pressure will increase due to rate of change of momentum ( we can say those two are proportional), then why can we not claim that there is increase in average molecular speed?
 
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The reason the pressure goes up for the same temperature (and same average molecular speed) is that the density is increased when you decrease the volume. Thereby, you have more particles per given time imparting momentum to the walls of the container. ## P=\frac{n}{V} RT ## . Notice the density ## \frac{n}{V} ## has increased as you decrease ## V ##.
 
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