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Charles Law is an example of the Ideal Gas Law. According to Charles Law, the volume of a gas increases with an increase in temperature and vice versa at constant pressure. The gases expand on heating due to an increase in the movement of the molecules. This movement increases the collision of the molecules with each other and the walls of the container. It results in increasing the volume of the gas. If the wall of the container is flexible, the pressure remains constant. According to this law, temperature and volume are directly proportional to each other, keeping the pressure constant.

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Charles Law Everyday Examples

Charles law has various applications in everyday life. This law explains that gases expand on increasing temperature and compress on decreasing temperature. There are various processes, including the inflation of hot air balloons and human lungs’ working, which can be explained using Charles Law. Some of those everyday examples are:

Lungs

Lungs are integral organs of the respiratory system. During inhalation, air flows inside the lungs and expands them. While exhaling, the lungs contract. In the winter, a decrease in temperature results in a reduction of the volume of gases in the lungs. It makes it difficult to jog or exercise in the winters. 

Hot air balloon

A hot air balloon consists of an envelope, a basket to carry people, and a source of fuel. The ignition of the fuel increases the temperature of gases inside the envelope. This increased temperature eventually increases the volume. Due to the expansion of gas, the density of gas decreases. Warmer air is lighter than colder air, so buoyant force pushes the hot air balloon upwards. 

Helium balloon

On a cold day, the volume of gases decreases due to the decreased temperature. This results in the inflation of helium balloons. On bringing the balloons inside the room, they regain their original shape. Helium balloons are one of the common examples of Charles Law. 

Tyres

Inflation and deflation of tyres usually happen during summers and winters, respectively. Due to high temperatures, the gases inside the tyres expand due to the increase in volume. This causes inflation of tyres. Similarly, due to low temperature in winter, the gases compress and tyres shrink. 

Pop-up turkey thermometer

This is a pop-up thermometer that is placed inside a turkey. While cooking turkey, the temperature rises, and the volume of the gases increases inside it. All the gases present inside the turkey expand according to Charles Law. The popping of the timer indicates that the turkey has cooked.

Baking

Yeast is used during baking for the fermentation of the dough. It releases carbon dioxide gas after fermentation. During the baking process, an increase in temperature expands the carbon dioxide gas inside the dough, thus acting as a leavening agent. This expansion of carbon dioxide makes the bread and cakes spongy and fluffy in appearance.

Deodorant spray bottle

It is mentioned on the deodorant bottle to keep it away from sunlight and avoid exposure to higher temperatures. Under higher temperatures, the molecules present inside the deodorant expand. Under such conditions, even the deodorant bottle can burst. While storing it under low temperature, gases present in the deodorant are compressed; thus, there are lesser chances of exploding.

Basketball 

Have you ever left a basketball outside in winter? You will observe that after a while, the basketball shrinks. This happens because as the temperature decreases in the surrounding area, the gases present inside the basketball contract. This results in a decrease in the volume of gases as per Charles Law. After keeping the basketball in the warmer area, it regains its original shape. 

Pool floats

You must have used a pool float when you learned how to swim. Pool floats are less dense than water due to the air-filled inside them. They inflate in summer due to an increase in the volume of gases inside them due to the increasing temperature. The reverse phenomenon is observed during winter when the water is cooler; hence the pool floats deflate.

Ping pong balls

Ping pong balls are used in table tennis. As a result of a strong stroke or pressure from the player, ping pong balls usually get dented. It is advisable to put the balls in warm water to reverse denting. After immersing the balls in water, the temperature inside the balls also rises. According to Charles Law, the air inside the balls expands, the balls inflate, and hence the dents are fixed. 

Spark ignition and compression ignition in automotive engine

Automotive engines have spark ignition and compression ignition. Gases released after combustion are exposed to high temperatures in spark ignition. This increases the volume of the gas. According to Charles Law, such an increasing volume of gases increases the forces against the cylinder and piston in engines, thus rotating the shaft. In diesel engines, compression ignition results in the compression of gases under high temperatures. The combination of this heated air and diesel fuel is injected into the cylinder, thus igniting the diesel fuel. 

Opening of a soda can

You might have observed fewer bubbles in chilled soda but more bubbles in warmer soda. As per Charles Law, in chilled soda, lower temperature decreases the volume of gases inside the can. This results in fewer bubbles inside it. While in warmer soda, higher temperature results in an increase in volume, leading to spilling out of the drink.

Conclusion

Although Charles’ law is an ideal gas law, it has applications in various everyday examples. This shows that the law is accurate and forms the basis of many physical processes. Based on the applications of Charles’ law, many appliances and devices can be prepared and moderated in the future.