How does Boyle's Law explain the expansion and contraction of air inside a plastic syringe?
Explanation of Boyle's Law
Boyle's Law, named after the physicist Robert Boyle, describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas at constant temperature. The law states that when the temperature remains constant, the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional to each other.
Expansion of Air in a Plastic Syringe
When the volume in a plastic syringe is increased to 12 mL, the pressure inside the syringe decreases. This decrease in pressure causes the air inside the syringe to expand to fill the increased volume. The expansion of air follows Boyle's Law, where the increase in volume leads to a decrease in pressure.
Contraction of Air in a Plastic Syringe
Conversely, when the volume in a plastic syringe is decreased, the pressure inside the syringe increases. This increase in pressure causes the air inside the syringe to contract to occupy the reduced volume. Boyle's Law explains this contraction of air, where the decrease in volume leads to an increase in pressure.
Overall, Boyle's Law provides a scientific explanation for the expansion and contraction of air inside a plastic syringe based on the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at constant temperature.