Experiment #9a

Boyles Law: Pressure & Volume

Relationship in Gases
LAB OBJECTIVES

! To use a computer interface to visualize the relationship between changes in the pressure and volume
of a gas when its moles and temperature remain constant.
! To plot pressure and volume data to graphically see the relationship between pressure and volume

MATERIALS

! Laptop Computer w/ LoggerPro ! Gas Pressure Sensor

Software ! 20 mL Syringe
! Vernier Computer Interface

INTRODUCTION

The primary objective of this experiment is to determine the relationship between the pressure and volume
of a confined gas. The gas used in this experiment is air, and it will be confined in a syringe connected
to a Pressure Sensor (see Figure 1). When the volume of the syringe is changed by moving the piston, a
change occurs in the pressure exerted by the confined gas. This pressure change will be monitored using
a Pressure Sensor. It is assumed temperature will remain constant throughout the experiment as well as
the number of moles of gas. Pressure and
volume data pairs will be collected during this
experiment and then graphed. From the data
and graph, you should be able to determine
what kind of mathematical relationship exists
Figure 1
between the pressure and volume of the
confined gas. Historically, this relationship
was first established by Robert Boyle in 1662
and has since been known as Boyles law.

PROCEDURE

1. Prepare the Pressure Sensor and an air sample for data collection by doing the following:
a) Plug the Pressure Sensor into the port labeled Ch 1 of the computer interface.
b) With the 20 mL syringe disconnected from the Pressure Sensor, move the piston of the syringe
until the front edge of the inside black ring (indicated by the arrow in Figure 1) is positioned at
the 10.0 mL mark.
c) Attach the 20 mL syringe directly to the white stem valve on the Pressure Sensor and lock it in
place by gently half-turning the syringe.
2. Prepare the computer for data collection by doing the following:
a) Load the LoggerPro program by clicking on its icon on the desktop of your laptop computer
b) Prepare the computer for data collection by opening Experiment 6 from within the Chemistry
with Vernier folder.

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 c) On the Graph window, the vertical axis should show the pressure scaled from 0 to 250 kPa and
the horizontal axis should show the volume scaled from 0 to 20 mL.
3. Click the Collect button in the top menu bar to begin data collection.
4. When collecting the pressure vs volume data, its best for one person to manipulate the gas syringe
and another to operate the computer.
a) Move the piston to position the front
edge of the inside black ring (Figure
2) at the 5.0 mL line on the syringe
and hold the piston firmly in this
position until the pressure value
stabilizes. Figure 2
b) When the pressure reading has
stabilized, click Keep. Type 5.0 in the text entry box. Press the Enter key to save this
data pair. Note: You can choose to redo a point by pressing the Esc key.
c) Continue the procedure for volumes of 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0 mL.
d) Click Stop when you have finished collecting all data points.
5. In Data Table #1 on the worksheet below, record the pressure and volume data pairs displayed in
the Table window.
6. Examine the graph of pressure vs volume. Based on this graph, decide what kind of mathematical
relationship you think exists between these two variables, direct or inverse. To see if you made the
right choice, do the following:
a) Click the Curve Fit icon (the button with the f(x)= symbol) on the top menu bar.
b) Choose the Variable Power (Ax^n) equation from the list of General Equations in the
curve fit window. In the Power box, type 1 if you think the relationship is direct or -1
if you think the relationship is inverse followed by clicking Try Fit.
c) A best-fit curve will be displayed on the graph. If you made the correct choice, the curve
should match up well with the points. If the curve does not match up well, try a different
exponent and click Try Fit again. When the curve has a good fit with the data points, then
click Ok.
7. Once you have confirmed that the graph represents either a direct or inverse relationship, have your
instructor check your graph. DO NOT DELETE THIS GRAPH. You may need it to answer the
questions on the Experiment #9a worksheet.

Extension - Answer the questions on the Experiment #9a worksheet before starting this
portion of the procedure

8. To confirm the type of relationship that exists between pressure and volume, a graph of pressure
!
versus the reciprocal of volume (:;<=>? or volume-1) may also be plotted. Using the LoggerPro
software, it is necessary to create a new column of data based on your original volume data.
9. Based on this graph, decide what kind of mathematical relationship you think exists between these
two variables, direct or inverse. To see if you made the right choice do the following:
a) Remove the Linear Regression box from the graph by clicking on the x its upper-left
corner.
b) From the top menu bar choose Data New Calculated Column
c) In the New Calculated Column box, enter 1/Volume as the Name, 1/V as the Short
Name, and 1/mL as the Units.

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 d) In the Expression box, enter 1/Volume. To do this, type in 1 and / and then select
Volume from the Variables (Columns) list. In the Expression box, you should now see
displayed: 1/Volume. Click Ok to return to the graph.
e) Click on the vertical-axis label, select Pressure. Next, click on the horizontal-axis label,
select 1/Volume to be displayed on the horizontal axis.

10. Based on this new graph, decide what kind of mathematical relationship you think exists between
!
these two new variables (P vs :;<=>?), direct or inverse. To see if you made the right choice do the
following:
a) Click the Curve Fit icon (the button with the f(x)= symbol) on the top menu bar.
b) Choose the Variable Power (Ax^n) equation from the list of General Equations in the
curve fit window. In the Power box, type 1 if you think the relationship is direct or -1
if you think the relationship is inverse followed by clicking Try Fit.
c) A best-fit curve will be displayed on the graph. If you made the correct choice, the curve
should match up well with the points. If the curve does not match up well, try a different
exponent and click Try Fit again. When the curve has a good fit with the data points, then
click Ok.

!
If the relationship between P vs V is an inverse relationship, the plot of P vs :;<=>? should be direct;
that is, the curve should be linear and pass through (or near) your data points. Have your instructor
look at your graph after it is completed.

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Experiment #9a Worksheet Name: __________________________

Data Table #1 Boyles Law Experiment

Which relationship yields a constant?
Data Volume (mL) Pressure (kPa)
Point
P/V PV

Use the above data table and graphs from the experiment to answer the following questions:

1. If the volume is doubled from 5.0 mL to 10.0 mL, what does your data show happens to the
pressure? (Report actual pressure values in your answer)

2. If the volume is halved from 20.0 mL to 10.0 mL, what does your data show happens to the
pressure? (Report actual pressure values in your answer)

3. If the volume is tripled from 5.0 mL to 15.0 mL, what does your data show happened to the
pressure? (Report actual pressure values in your answer)

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4. Based on your data, what would you expect the pressure to be if the volume of the syringe was
increased to 40.0 mL? (Explain and show work to support your answer.)

5. From your answers to the first four questions and the shape of the curve in the plot of pressure
versus volume (P vs V), do you think the relationship between the pressure and volume of a confined
gas is direct or inverse? (Explain your answer.)

6. One way to determine if a relationship is inverse or direct is to find a proportionality constant, k,

@
from the data. If this relationship is direct, A = B whereas, if it is inverse, C , = B. Calculate k
for the seven ordered pairs in your data table and report the answers in the last two columns of Data
Table #1.

Which relationship gave the most constant k value over the seven data points? (Good data may
show some minor variation, but the values for k should be relatively constant.)

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 Experiment #9b
Pressure & Temperature Relationship in
Gases (Gay-Lussacs Law)
LAB OBJECTIVES

! To use a computer interface to see the relationship between changes in the pressure and volume of a
gas when its moles and temperature remain constant.
! To plot pressure and volume data to graphically see the relationship between pressure and volume

MATERIALS

! Laptop Computer w/ LoggerPro Software ! Vernier Temperature Probe

! Vernier Computer Interface ! 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask
! Ring Stand and Clamp ! One liter beakers
! Gas Pressure Sensor w/ tubing & valve ! Hot Plate & Ice

INTRODUCTION

Gases are made up of molecules that are in constant motion and exert pressure when they collide with
the walls of their container. The velocity and the number of collisions of these molecules is affected
when the temperature of the gas increases or decreases. In this experiment, you will study the
relationship between the temperature of a gas sample and the pressure it exerts. Using the apparatus
shown in Figure 1, you will place an Erlenmeyer flask containing an air sample in water baths of
varying temperature. Pressure will be monitored with a
Pressure Sensor and temperature will be monitored using
a Temperature Probe. The volume of the gas sample and Figure 1
the number of molecules it contains will be kept constant.
Pressure and temperature data pairs will be collected
during the experiment and then analyzed. From the data
and graph, you will determine what kind of mathematical
relationship exists between the pressure and absolute
temperature of a confined gas. You may also do the
extension exercise and use your data to find a value for
absolute zero on the Celsius temperature scale.

PROCEDURE

1. Prepare a near-boiling water bath by placing about 600 mL of tap water into a one liter beaker and
placing it on a hot plate. Turn the hot plate to about 3/4 of the max heat setting.
2. Prepare an ice-water bath by putting about 500 mL of cold tap water into another one liter beaker
and adding ice.
3. Prepare the Temperature Probe and Pressure Sensor for data collection.
a) Plug the Pressure Sensor into Ch 1 of the computer interface.
b) Plug the Temperature Probe into Ch 2 of the computer interface.
c) Obtain a rubber-stopper assembly with a piece of heavy-wall plastic tubing connected to one
of its two valves. Attach the connector at the free end of the plastic tubing to the open stem

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 of the Pressure Sensor with a clockwise turn. Leave its two-way valve on the rubber stopper
open (parallel with the valve stem) until Step 3e below.
d) Insert the rubber-stopper assembly into a 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Important: Twist the
stopper into the neck of the flask to ensure a tight fit.
e) Close the 2-way valve above the rubber stopper, do this by turning the valve handle so it is
perpendicular with the valve stem itself. The air sample to be studied is now confined in the
flask.
4. Prepare the computer for data collection by opening Experiment 7 in the Chemistry with Vernier
folder. The vertical axis should have pressure scaled from 0 to 150 kPa and the horizontal axis
should have temperature scaled from 0 to 100C. Click Collect to start collecting data.
5. To collect pressure vs temperature data for your gas sample follow the steps below:
a. Place the flask into the ice-water bath. Make sure the entire flask is covered (see Figure 1) and
gently stir the ice water solution.
b. Place the temperature probe into the ice-water bath.
c. When the pressure and temperature readings displayed on the computer stabilize, click Keep.
You have now saved the first pressure-temperature data pair. Record the pressure and
temperature values in your data table. Note: Do not click Stop until youve collected all four
measurements.
6. Repeat Step 5 using a room-temperature bath.
7. Repeat Step 5 using a warm-water (30-35C) bath.
8. Use a ring stand and utility clamp to suspend the temperature probe in a near boiling-water bath. To
keep from burning your hand, hold the tubing of the flask using a glove or a cloth. After the
temperature probe has been in the boiling water for a few seconds, place the flask into the boiling-
water bath and repeat Step 5 of the procedure. Remove the flask and the temperature probe after
you have clicked Keep. Caution: Remember that heated gases can exert high pressure.
Keeping your gas sample in the hot water bath for extended periods of time can cause the
rubber stopper to pop off. Also, do not burn yourself or the probe wires with the hot plate.
9. Click Stop when youve finished collecting all four data points and turn off the hot plate.
10. Examine your graph of pressure vs. temperature (C). In order to determine if the relationship
between pressure and temperature is direct or inverse, you must use an absolute temperature scale;
that is, a temperature scale whose lowest point corresponds to absolute zero. We will use the Kelvin
absolute temperature scale. Instead of manually adding 273 to each of the Celsius temperatures to
obtain Kelvin values, you can create a new data column for Kelvin temperature.
a) From the top menu bar choose Data New Calculated Column
b) In the New Calculated Column box, enter Temp Kelvin as the Name, T Kelvin as the
Short Name, and K as the Unit.
c) In the Expression box, enter 273+ then select Temperature from the Variables
(Columns) list. Click Ok to return to the graph.
d) Click on the vertical-axis label, select Pressure. Next, click on the horizontal-axis label,
select Temp Kelvin to be displayed on the horizontal axis.
e) If your points are no longer visible on the graph you can press CTRL-J to autoscale the
graph.
11. Decide if your graph of pressure vs. temperature (K) represents a direct or inverse relationship. To
see if you made the right choice do the following:
d) Click the Curve Fit icon (the button with the f(x)= symbol) on the top menu bar.

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 e) Choose the Variable Power (Ax^n) equation from the list of General Equations in the
curve fit window. In the Power box, type 1 if you think the relationship is direct or -1
if you think the relationship is inverse followed by clicking Try Fit.
f) A best-fit curve will be displayed on the graph. If you made the correct choice, the curve
should match up well with the points. If the curve does not match up well, try a different
exponent and click Try Fit again. When the curve has a good fit with the data points,
click Ok.
g) If your points are no longer visible on the graph you can press CTRL-J to autoscale the
graph.
12. Once you have confirmed that the graph represents either a direct or inverse relationship, have your
instructor check your graph. DO NOT DELETE THIS GRAPH. You may need it to answer the
questions on the Experiment #9a worksheet.

Extension - Answer the questions on the Experiment #9b worksheet before starting this
portion of the procedure

The data that you have collected can also be used to determine the
value for absolute zero on the Celsius temperature scale. Instead of Figure 2

Temperature (C)
plotting pressure versus Kelvin temperature like we did above, this
time you will plot Celsius temperature on the y-axis and pressure
on the x-axis. Since absolute zero is the temperature at which the
pressure theoretically becomes equal to zero, the temperature where Absolute
Zero (in C)
the regression line (Figure 2) intercepts the y-axis should be the
Celsius temperature value for absolute zero. You can use the data
you collected earlier in the experiment to determine a value for
absolute zero according to the steps below: Volume

1. Remove the Linear Regression box on the graph by clicking on the x in its upper-left corner.
2. Click on the vertical-axis label, select Temperature, and click Ok. Click on the horizontal-axis
label and select Pressure followed by clicking Ok.
3. Rescale the temperature axis from a minimum of -300C to a maximum of 200C. This can be
done by clicking on the minimum or maximum value displayed on the graph axis and editing them.
The pressure axis should be scaled from 0 kPa to 150 kPa.
4. Click the Linear Regression icon (the button with the R= symbol) on the top menu bar. A best-fit
linear regression curve will be shown for the four data points. The equation for the regression line
will be displayed in a box on the graph, in the form y = mx + b. The numerical value for b is the y-
intercept and represents the Celsius value for absolute zero.
5. From your graph of temperature (C) vs. pressure, report your linear regression line including the
slope and y-intercept on Data Table #1 in the Experiment 9b worksheet below. Also, report your
experimental value for the coldest possible temperature in C and calculate the percent error in your
value from what the accepted value for the lowest possible temperature in degrees Celcius.

measured value - true value

% Error = 100%
true value

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Experiment #9b Worksheet Name: __________________________

Data Table #1 Pressure & Temperature Relationship in Gases

Which relationship yields a constant?
Data Pressure (kPa) Temperature (C) Temperature (K)
Point
P/T PT

Equation of Line from Extension

Your experimental coldest

possible temperature (in C)

% Error for your experimental

coldest possible temperature

Use the above data table and graphs from the experiment to answer the following questions:

In order to perform this experiment, what two experimental factors were kept constant?

1. Based on the data and graph that you obtained for this experiment, express in words the
relationship between gas pressure and temperature.

2. Explain this relationship using the concepts of molecular velocity and collisions of molecules.

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3. One way to determine if a relationship is inverse or direct is to find a proportionality constant, k,
@
from the data. If this relationship is direct, D = B whereas, if it is inverse, C E = B. Calculate
k for the four ordered pairs in your data table and report the answers in the last two columns of
Data Table #1 and report which relationship was correct.

4. According to this experiment, what should happen to the pressure of a gas if the Kelvin
temperature is doubled? [Check this assumption by finding the pressure at -73C (200 K) and at
127C (400 K) on your graph of pressure versus temperature.] Mathematically, how do these
two pressure values compare?

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