Boyle's law
Gas compression principle
Boyle's law states that the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional when temperature remains constant—compress a gas and its pressure rises; let it expand and pressure falls.
Named for the 17th-century Irish scientist Robert Boyle, it's one of the foundational gas laws taught in introductory chemistry and physics.
Theoretical substance obeying simple laws
- heliumLightest noble gas
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
hydrogen · neon · argon · methane · air · compressibility · pneumatics · gas laws
Years 1601-1700
- experimental methodControlled testing for knowledge
- vacuum pumpGas-removing mechanical device
- air pumpDevice forcing gas inward
- scientific revolutionTransformative change in understanding
empirical · laboratory · corpuscular theory · natural philosophy · Royal Society
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- expansionIncrease in scope
- isothermalAt uniform temperature
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
manometer · atmosphere · psi · torr · pascals · millibars · vacuum pump · syringe
Swimming with air tanks
- decompressionReduction of pressure
- breathing apparatusDevice supplying air
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- lungsRespiratory chest organs
respiration · altitude sickness · tire pressure · hydraulics · air compressor · vacuum chamber · blood pressure · sphygmomanometer
ideal gas
Theoretical substance obeying simple laws
carbon dioxide · hydrogen · neon · argon · methane · air · compressibility · pneumatics · gas laws · Avogadro's law
17th century
Years 1601-1700
- experimental methodControlled testing for knowledge
- vacuum pumpGas-removing mechanical device
- air pumpDevice forcing gas inward
scientific revolution · empirical · laboratory · corpuscular theory · natural philosophy · Royal Society
inverse relationship
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- expansionIncrease in scope
- isothermalAt uniform temperature
barometer · manometer · atmosphere · psi · torr · pascals · millibars · vacuum pump · syringe · balloon
scuba diving
Swimming with air tanks
- decompressionReduction of pressure
- breathing apparatusDevice supplying air
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
lungs · respiration · altitude sickness · tire pressure · hydraulics · air compressor · vacuum chamber · blood pressure · sphygmomanometer · submarine