Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What does the equation P1V1 = P2V2 represent?

1. Charles's law

2. Boyle's law

3. Avogadro's Law

4. Ideal Gas Law

The correct answer is: Boyle's law

The equation P1V1 = P2V2 represents Boyle's law, which describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas at constant temperature. According to Boyle's law, if the volume of a gas decreases, the pressure increases, provided that the temperature remains constant. This inverse relationship shows that pressure and volume are proportional to each other; as one increases, the other decreases. In the context of gases, this law is applicable in various real-world scenarios, such as when a syringe is used—pulling back on the plunger increases the volume, leading to a decrease in pressure. Understanding this law is essential for nursing and healthcare professionals, especially when dealing with respiratory functions or administering medications through pressurized devices. The other choices refer to different gas laws that pertain to volume and temperature relationships, molecular quantities, or combine multiple variables affecting gases. However, only Boyle's law specifically addresses the constants involved with pressure and volume alone, making it the correct choice in this context.