Graphs of Charles's Law

The graph of Charles's law is a volume-temperature graph. And it is as follows:

The above graph is a volume vs temperature graph plotted as a constant pressure for a fixed amount of gas. As we can observe from the graph the volume increases with an increase in the temperature, and vice versa. Thus, volume is directly proportional to temperature at a constant pressure, which is the statement of Charles's law.

Mathematical explanation

Volume is on the y- axis, and temperature is on x-axis. The graph is a straight line with a positive slope passing the origin. The equation of the line is V = kT, which is the equation of Charles's law. The slope of the line is k. As temperature approaches zero kelvin, volume also approaches zero.

According to the graph, the volume of an ideal gas at zero kelvin is also zero.

The graph of Charles's law in the celsius scale

In the above plot, the temperature axis is in the kelvin scale (absolute scale). However, we can also plot the graph of Charles's law with temperature in the celsius scale.

The equation of the line in the above figure is . Here, V₀ is the volume at the freezing point of water, t is temperature in the degree celsius, and V is volume at temperature t. This is also the equation of Charles's law when temperature is expressed in the degree celsius.

As from the above figure, when temperature approaches −273.15 °C, volume also approaches zero.

Graphs at different pressures

The above plots can be plotted at different pressures. The graphs below show four different lines. Each of the lines is at a constant pressure. Such lines that are drawn at a constant pressure are called isobars.

As we can see in the above figure, each of the lines converges at zero volume as temperature tends to zero. Also, if noticed, with an increase pressure, the lines shift inwards (towards x-axis). This is because of a decrease in the value of k with an increase in pressure. The same is true for the below figure except each of the lines converges at −273.15 °C.

Associated articles

• Charles's law
• The equation of Charles's law