Applied Physics Lab Report 4

Confirming Gas Laws

Group 8

Azka Irfan (0501869)

Abdullah Amin (0502002)
Syeda Butool Fatima Naqvi (0504986)
Maryam Zahid (0512435)
Nabirah Imran (0518097)
Experiment # 1
“Boyle’s Law”

Abstract:
The experiment examined the relationship between pressure and volume of a confined gas,
assuming a constant temperature. It utilized Boyle’s law to verify its validity. Furthermore, we
learned to use various apparatus, such as an mL syringe with piston and Computer (with
stimulation app installed).

Theory:
Pressure is defined as the force exerted perpendicular on the surface of an object per unit area. In
the case of gases, pressure represents the impact force exerted by gas molecules on the
boundaries of their vessels.
A gas consists of particles whose binding is too poor to keep them in liquid or solid state. The
capacity of a gas occupies any volume which is occupied by a vessel that it is trapped in. In other
terms, the fact that a gas occupies a certain volume does not mean that the gas possesses that
volume, rather it is the container that possesses that volume.
From this understanding, we can use Boyle's Law, which states that gas pressure (P) is in an
inverse relation with the volume occupied (V) as long as the temperature and total gas amount do
not change. The relationship is mathematically denoted as;
1
P∝ or PV=k
V
Where K is a constant that depends on the number of mols of gas and the temperature. And as
long as these conditions don’t change together with K. It can also be observed from the pressure
volume graph that pressure volume has a direct relation with the two composite constant it is
inversely proportional.
For example, if a gas initially has a volume V1 and pressure P1 and its volume changes to V2, the
resulting pressure P2 can be found using the equation:
P1V1 = P2V2
This relation holds true for perfect gases but is not as good for the real gases. It is assumed that
the gas molecules within ideal gases occupy no volume and only display repulsive forces when
near. But in real gases, molecules do take up space, making V for real gases, somewhat greater
than the V for ideal gas. Furthermore, due to intermolecular spaces, real gas molecules have
attributes of weak attractive forces amongst them, therefore the P of real gas is somewhat lesser
than of ideal gas. As a result, real gases do not give accurate results when measured using
Boyle’s Law, however, the inverse relationship still applies in the main.
Procedure:
1. For the Boyle's Law experiment, we connected a syringe to a pressure sensor, which was
linked to a computer for processing the signals from the sensor.
2. On the computer, we opened an application that displayed the recorded pressure values.
We started a new session to bring up a graph and double-clicked on "digits" to open a
window that showed real-time pressure readings for each syringe volume.
3. We set the syringe to an initial volume and recorded the pressure displayed for this
starting volume.
4. We then gradually adjusted the syringe volume by pushing it in to decrease the volume.
5. Pressure values from the simulation were recorded every 3 mL as we changed the syringe
volume.
6. Using the recorded pressure and volume data from the syringe, we created a Pressure vs.
Volume graph.

Data Analysis:
As mentioned in theory Boyle’s law says that Volume and Pressure have an inverse relation. This
means that the values obtained experimentally should follow this behavior of inverse
proportionality. Boyle’s Law states:

P∝
1
V

P=
k
V
PV= k

Table 1 Readings for Volume and Pressure

Sr no Volume /mL Pressure /kPa

1 20 119
2 17 135
3 14 156
4 11 183
5 8 222
6 5 278
7 2 350
Results:

400

350

300
Pressure / kPa

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

Volume / mL

We can see that there’s an inverse relationship between Pressure and Volume and hence, this
behaviour verifies Boyle’s Law for us.

Conclusion:
From the graph, we can deduce that the volume is inversely proportional to the pressure inside it
at a constant temperature.
We also observed that, since this experiment uses real gases, the results are not entirely precise,
meaning VP ≠ constant for all values.
Nonetheless, this inverse relationship effectively illustrates Boyle's Law.

Q/A:
1. What function did the air chamber serve in the Boyle's Law experiment and what was its
placement to the apparatus?
The air chamber acted as the gas testing unit, and it was directly attached to the pressure
sensor by way of plain tubing. This arrangement made it possible to directly gage the
pressure changes as the volume of the gas was varied.
2. What would possibly happen during the course of the experiment if the volume of the gas
was reduced too fast?
The critical consequence of rapid volume reductions is the fast increase in pressure,
which may cause damage to devices or make pressure readings inaccurate because
portions of them, or changes within instruments are likely to fail or take time in their
response.

3. Under the circumstances described above, what would be different in the pressure-
volume relationship for the gas if the latter type of gas has been used having high
intermolecular forces?
In case the gas had strong intermolecular forces, more pronounced effects can be
expected that the experiment is inconsistent with Boyle's law because the pressure at
constant temperature does not increase with the decrease of gas volume due to forces that
tend to pull gases closer.

4. How would the use of a large syringe change the level of accuracy in the experiment?
Applying a larger syringes will perhaps increase the accuracy of measurements of
volumes and decrease the relative measurement errors hence perhaps giving improved
evidences on the predicted inverse relationship according to Boyle's law.

5. If the pressure sensor had a time delay in its response to changes, how might that affect
the experiment's findings?
A: A time delay in the pressure sensor's response could lead to inaccurate readings during
rapid volume changes, potentially causing misinterpretation of the pressure-volume
relationship due to lagged data that doesn't reflect real-time conditions.
Experiment # 2
“Charles Law”

Abstract:
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of temperature on the volume of a gas
when the pressure remains constant. The law specifically examined in Experiment 2 was Charles'
Law, making this experiment serve to verify the law's validity. We also learned to use various
equipment, including a base apparatus that measured temperature changes and adjusted the
piston accordingly, indicating changes in volume with temperature.

Theory:
Charles’ Law explains that the volume of a gas increases or decreases uniformly with its change
of temperature if its pressure remains unchanged. This relationship can be expressed
mathematically as:
V ∝ T or V= kT
In simple terms, Charles’ Law is related to the temperature and volumetric parameters. For fixed
mass and pressure of the gas, its volumetric value will expand or contract according to its
temperature increase or decrease, respectively. If a gas has an initial volume V1 at temperature
T1, and then when its temperature changes to T2, the new volume V2 is given by the
relationship:
V1 V2
=
T 1 T2
When you plot Charles' Law on a graph with temperature on the x-axis and
volume on the y-axis, you get a straight line, reflecting the direct relationship between the two.

Procedure:
1. First, we placed the Base apparatus horizontally on a stable stand to prevent any
disruptions in volume changes caused by handling or turbulence.
2. Then, we boiled water to 100°C using an electric kettle or stove and poured it into a jug.
Using a laboratory thermometer, we recorded the initial temperature of the water and the
initial height of the piston, ensuring the thermometer did not touch the walls or bottom of
the jug.
3. We then used cold water to lower the temperature. We recorded the temperature T and the
height hp as we decrease the temperature
4. Finally, we calculated the gas volume V p from the height of the piston and plotted a graph
of Temperature vs. Volume to examine the relationship between the two.
Data Analysis:
For Charles law, as we said in the theory:
V∝ T
V = kT
V
=k
T
Vcylinder =¿ h p π r 2

Radius of Piston = 16.25

hp = height of the piston recorded at every change in temperature

Table 2 Readings for Volume against Temperature

Sr no Temperature/ ℃ Height/mm Volume/mm3

1 88.0 98.0 81300
2 78.0 80.0 66400
3 72.1 70.1 58900
4 67.0 60.5 50200
5 61.0 46.0 38200
6 58.0 40.0 33200
7 54.0 34.0 28200

Result:
90000
80000
70000
60000
Volume/mm3

50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90

Temperature/℃
Conclusion:
From the graph, we conclude that at a constant pressure within a vessel, the volume is directly
proportional to the temperature, which supports Charles' Law. In this experiment, we also
observe that, since it is conducted with real gases rather than ideal gases, the results are not
entirely accurate. However, the line of best fit still reflects the behavior that gases generally
exhibit, reinforcing the validity of Charles’ Law.

Q/A:
1) What steps were taken to ensure that the temperature measurements were precise
throughout the experiment?
A: We employed a calibrated laboratory thermometer and ensured it was submerged
sufficiently in the water without making contact with the sides of the container,
decreasing measurement error.

2) How did the graphical display of the data reinforce the conclusions drawn from the
experiment?
A: The graph plotted between temperature and volume formed a straight line,
representing that the volume increases linearly with temperature, providing evidence
supporting Charles' Law.

3) What challenges were faced in maintaining constant pressure during the Charles' Law
experiment, and how were they mitigated?
A: We used a closed system to contain the gas, preventing pressure fluctuations during
temperature adjustments.

4) What would happen if the volume of the gas was not accurately recorded during the
experiment?
A: Inaccurate volume measurements would lead to inaccurate calculations of the
temperature-volume relationship, undermining the experiment's validity and preventing
reliable conclusions from being drawn.

5) How might the experiment's conclusions differ if a gas with a high molecular weight was
used instead of a lighter gas?
A: Using a gas with a high molecular weight could possess different expansion
characteristics, potentially demonstrating a less pronounced response to temperature
changes, affecting the overall slope of the volume-temperature graph.