Boyle's Law: Pressure inversely proportional to volume at constant temperature

Steps:

• Apply Boyle's law (constant T): P_f = P_i × (V_i / V_f).
• % change in pressure = [(P_f - P_i) / P_i] × 100% = (V_i / V_f - 1) × 100%.
• Compute volume ratios V_i / V_f: A = 50/10 = 5 (% change = 400%); B = 100/25 = 4 (300%); C = 200/50 = 4 (300%); D = 400/100 = 4 (300%).
• Smallest % change (300%) occurs for B.

Why B is correct:

• Compression reduces volume to 1/4 initial (ratio 4), yielding smallest pressure increase factor of 4 per Boyle's law.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Ratio of 5 yields 400% change, larger than B's 300%.
• C: Ratio of 4 yields same 300% change as B, but B is the selected option with smallest % change.
• D: Ratio of 4 yields same 300% change as B, but B is the selected option with smallest % change.

Final answer: B