What is the relationship between gas volume and temperature as described by Charles's Law?

The relationship described by Charles's Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature when pressure is kept constant. This means that as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume also increases, provided the pressure remains unchanged. This relationship is based on the kinetic theory of gases, which suggests that increasing temperature raises the energy of the gas molecules, causing them to move more vigorously and occupy a larger volume.

In practical terms, if you have a gas in a flexible container (like a balloon) and you heat it, the gas molecules will move faster and spread out more, causing the balloon to expand. Conversely, if you cool the gas, the volume will decrease as the molecules lose energy and come closer together.

Understanding this principle is crucial for applications in various fields, including diving physics, because it affects how gases behave under different environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature at various depths underwater.