Question

Why is Boyle's law graph curved?

Answer 1

Boyle's law:

• According to Boyle's law pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at a constant temperature.
• The equation is as follows:

$\begin{array}{rcl}P& \propto & \frac{\mathit{1}}{\mathit{V}}\\ PV& =& k\end{array}$

• Here, $P$ is the pressure, $V$ is the volume and $k$ is the constant.

Boyle's law graph

• Boyle's law's graph is known as the $\mathrm{PV}$ curve.
• This Boyle's law graph is hyperbolic rather than straight.
• This is due to the statement that the pressure and volume are inversely proportional at a constant temperature.
• Therefore, the volume decreases as the pressure increases and vice versa.
• Thus, Boyle's law graph is curved.
• The graph is as shown: