How this calculator works
An ideal gas expands in proportion to its kelvin temperature when pressure and amount are fixed. A movable piston or flexible container can approximate constant pressure. Celsius and Fahrenheit entries are converted to kelvins before taking a ratio. The initial-state pressure and amount modes use the ideal gas equation.
Formula
V1/T1 = V2/T2; pV1 = nRT1.
Worked example
Heating 0.02 m³ from 300 K to 450 K gives 0.03 m³. A 0.05 m³ sample at 500 K shrinks to 0.03 m³ at 300 K.
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Frequently asked questions
What stays constant?
Pressure and amount of gas.
When does the ideal model lose accuracy?
Near condensation or at high density, intermolecular forces and finite molecular size become important.
Why do temperature ratios use kelvins?
The proportionality starts at absolute zero. Celsius ratios depend on an arbitrary offset and give incorrect volumes.