charles's law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “charles's law” mean?
A gas law stating that, at constant pressure, the volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A gas law stating that, at constant pressure, the volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature.
A fundamental principle in physics and chemistry describing the thermal expansion of gases, also known as the law of volumes. It is often taught alongside Boyle's law and Gay-Lussac's law as part of the combined gas law.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The possessive form 'Charles's' is more common in modern British English, while 'Charles'' is sometimes seen in American scientific texts, though both variants occur in both regions.
Connotations
Identical technical/scientific connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and confined to scientific/educational contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “charles's law” in a Sentence
Charles's law states that...According to Charles's law, ...As defined by Charles's law, ...This can be explained by Charles's law.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in physics, chemistry, and engineering textbooks, lectures, and lab reports.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and gas-related engineering fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “charles's law”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “charles's law”
- Misspelling as 'Charles law' (missing apostrophe).
- Confusing it with Boyle's law (which deals with pressure and volume at constant temperature).
- Forgetting that temperature must be in Kelvin, not Celsius.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is named after French scientist Jacques Charles, who formulated it around 1787, though his unpublished work was later presented by Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac in 1802.
The law relates the volume (V) and the absolute temperature (T) of a fixed amount of gas at constant pressure. It is expressed as V/T = constant.
It is an ideal gas law and holds most accurately for ideal gases at low pressures and high temperatures. Real gases show deviations.
Applications include hot air balloon operation, weather balloon behaviour, and the design of pressurized containers and temperature compensation in gas-filled devices.
A gas law stating that, at constant pressure, the volume of a given mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature.
Charles's law is usually technical/scientific in register.
Charles's law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɑːlzɪz lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɑrlzɪz lɔ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Charles likes VOLUME when it's hot: Volume increases with Temperature (at constant pressure).
Conceptual Metaphor
GAS IS AN EXPANDING ENTITY (with heat providing the driving force for expansion).
Practice
Quiz
What must remain constant for Charles's law to apply?