How does compressing air in a closed space affect its temperature?

When air is compressed in a closed space, its temperature increases due to the principles of thermodynamics. This phenomenon can be explained by the ideal gas law, which states that, for a fixed amount of gas at a constant volume, an increase in pressure results in an increase in temperature.

As the air molecules are forced closer together during compression, their kinetic energy increases. This heightened kinetic energy manifests as an increase in temperature. In practical terms, this is why you might feel warmth when compressing air in a bicycle pump or during operations in pneumatic tools.

Thus, understanding that the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature is governed by thermodynamic principles clarifies why compressing air leads to an elevation in temperature.