What happens to the volume and shape of a gas when it is compressed at constant temperature?

When a gas is compressed at a constant temperature, the following changes occur:

1. Volume Decreases: The volume of the gas decreases when it is compressed. This is due to the fact that the molecules of the gas are forced closer together, reducing the space they occupy.

2. Shape Changes: Gases do not have a fixed shape. They take the shape of the container they are in. So, when a gas is compressed, it will change its shape to fit into the smaller volume.

This behavior of gases can be explained by the Ideal Gas Law, which states that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature and volume, and inversely proportional to the number of gas molecules. So, at a constant temperature, if the volume decreases (due to compression), the pressure must increase.