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physics

Charles’s Law Calculator

Calculate the final volume of a gas at constant pressure using Charles’s law (V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂).

Final Volume V₂
4 L
Charles’s law: V₂ = V₁ · T₂ ÷ T₁ (constant pressure).
T₁ (absolute)
300 K
T₂ (absolute)
600 K
Volume ratio V₂/V₁

How it works

  1. 1Enter the initial volume V₁ in litres, then the initial temperature T₁ and target final temperature T₂. Switch °C (metric) and °F (imperial) with the toggle.
  2. 2Temperatures are converted to kelvin first — Charles’s law needs absolute temperatures: T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15.
  3. 3The calculator applies V₂ = V₁·T₂ ÷ T₁ and shows the final volume with the absolute temperatures used.

Use cases

  • Predicting how a balloon or sealed container’s volume changes when heated or cooled at constant pressure.
  • Lab work — checking gas-volume readings against the Charles’s-law prediction.
  • HVAC — estimating duct-air volume change across a temperature difference at constant pressure.

Frequently asked questions

What is Charles’s law?

For a fixed amount of gas at constant pressure, volume is directly proportional to absolute temperature: V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂, so V₂ = V₁·T₂ ÷ T₁.

Why must temperature be in kelvin?

Charles’s law is a ratio of absolute temperatures. In °C, 0° would falsely imply zero volume. Kelvin starts at absolute zero, so V/T is always meaningful. The tool converts °C/°F to kelvin automatically.

Can you show a worked example?

A gas occupies 2 L at 300 K and is heated to 600 K at constant pressure: V₂ = 2 × 600 ÷ 300 = 4 L. Doubling the absolute temperature doubles the volume.

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