The equation PV = nRT is known as the ideal gas law, and it describes the relationship between pressure (P), volume (V), number of moles of gas (n), the ideal gas constant (R), and temperature (T). This relationship highlights how changes in one of these variables affect the others under ideal conditions where gases behave ideally.
In this equation, pressure is defined in units of atmospheres or Pascals, volume is in liters or cubic meters, temperature is in Kelvin, and the ideal gas constant R has specific values depending on the units used. When using this equation, it is understood that the gas's behavior is approximated to an ideal state where intermolecular forces and molecular sizes are negligible.
By understanding this equation, one can determine how changing temperature will affect pressure or volume, or vice versa, allowing for various calculations in gas behavior which is essential in many applications, especially in engineering contexts where gas properties are critical.
The other options provided do not accurately capture the full essence of the ideal gas law. For example, while the ideal gas constant is indeed part of the equation, it is not merely a definition; rather, it serves as a proportionality constant that relates the variables in the equation. Moreover,