Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

As temperature decreases, how does pressure change?

1. Increases

2. Decreases

3. Remains constant

4. Varies unpredictably

The correct answer is: Decreases

The relationship between temperature and pressure is primarily explained by Gay-Lussac's Law, which states that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature when the volume is held constant. As temperature decreases, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules decreases, leading to fewer and less forceful collisions with the walls of the container, which results in a decrease in pressure. This concept is foundational in understanding gases and their behaviors under varying temperature conditions. Therefore, when the temperature drops, the corresponding pressure also drops, making the answer correct in illustrating the inverse relationship between temperature and pressure in a controlled environment where volume remains constant.