According to Boyle's Law, if the volume of a gas decreases, what happens to its pressure?

Study for the OSAT Physical Science Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Boyle's Law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume when temperature and the number of gas molecules remain constant. This relationship can be expressed mathematically as P1V1 = P2V2, where P is the pressure and V is the volume.

When the volume of a gas decreases, the molecules are forced closer together. As a result, they collide with the walls of their container more frequently and with greater force, which leads to an increase in pressure. Therefore, if the volume of a gas decreases, its pressure must increase in order to maintain the equilibrium described by Boyle's Law.

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