What does Charles's Law describe?

Charles's Law describes how the volume of a gas changes with temperature when pressure is held constant. It states that the volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature (measured in Kelvin). This means that as temperature increases, the volume increases, provided that the pressure is kept constant. This relationship can be expressed mathematically as V/T = k, where V is the volume, T is the temperature, and k is a constant.

This law is particularly important in understanding how gases behave under varying thermal conditions. For example, if you heat a balloon, the air inside expands as the temperature rises, demonstrating Charles's Law. This direct proportionality highlights the significant link between thermal energy and the spatial arrangement of gas particles, which allows them to occupy more volume as they move more vigorously with increased heat.