Amontons’s law

Definition

Amontons's law states that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature, assuming volume and amount of gas are constant. Mathematically, it is expressed as $P \propto T$ or $P/T = k$ where $k$ is a constant.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Amontons's law is also known as Gay-Lussac's Law.
2. The law can be written as $\frac{P_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2}{T_2}$ for comparing two different states of the same gas.
3. Absolute temperature must be used in calculations (Kelvin scale).
4. It applies only when the volume and amount of gas remain constant.
5. Amontons's law helps explain why pressure cookers work efficiently.

Review Questions

Related terms

Boyle's Law:

States that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature and amount of gas.

Charles's Law:

States that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature at constant pressure and amount of gas.

Ideal Gas Law:

A comprehensive equation, $PV = nRT$, that relates pressure, volume, number of moles, and temperature of an ideal gas.