Gay-Lussac's Law Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the gay-lussac's law calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Final Pressure
p2 = p1 * t2 / t1Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
p1 | Initial Pressure(atm) | 1 |
t1 | Initial Temperature(K) | 300 |
t2 | Final Temperature(K) | 450 |
How It Works
Gay-Lussac's Law
At constant volume, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature.
Formula
P1 / T1 = P2 / T2
Heating a gas in a rigid container increases its pressure.
Worked Example
A sealed container at 1 atm and 300 K heated to 450 K.
- 01P1/T1 = P2/T2
- 02P2 = P1 * T2 / T1
- 03P2 = 1 * 450 / 300
- 04P2 = 1.5 atm
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a tire pressure increase on a hot day?
By Gay-Lussac's law, heating the air inside the tire (roughly constant volume) increases the pressure proportionally.
Can a closed container explode from heating?
Yes. If the pressure exceeds the container's structural limit, it will fail. This is why pressurized containers have safety relief valves.
Is this the same as the combined gas law?
Gay-Lussac's law is a special case of the combined gas law (P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2) where volume is constant.
Learn More
Guide
How to Use the Ideal Gas Law
Learn how to use the ideal gas law PV = nRT step by step. Covers pressure, volume, temperature, moles, the gas constant, and related gas laws with worked examples.
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Open Gay-Lussac's Law Calculator