Temperature-Volume Relationship of a Gas

This is a lab I use that was left by Jim Thompson.
Initial Publication Date: September 8, 2008

Summary

This lab uses plastic syringes fitted with caps to explore the change in volume as the temperature changes.

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Learning Goals

Students should be learning the relationship between temperature and volume of a fixed quantity of gas. This lab reinforces the concepts taught using the ideal gas law. It also investigate the concept of absolute zero through graphing.

Context for Use

This is a lab that takes approximately 50 minutes. I will have introduced the ideal gas law and would now be letting the students investigate the volume-temperature relationship.

Description and Teaching Materials

You can make an ice bath and a hot water bath. You will need plastic syringes fitted with a plastic tubing stopper. Computers to help students with graphing and extrapolating. Lab Sheet and Directions (Microsoft Word 25kB Sep8 08)

Teaching Notes and Tips


Assessment

Students should fill out labsheet and make a graph. The graph should have a line drawn in that would be drawn through absolute zero.

Standards

II.A

References and Resources