TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES

APPARATUS

EXPERIMENT 1: BOYLES LAW EXPERIMENT

OBJECTIVES

THEORY

PROCEDURE

RESULTS

10

CALCULATION

11

DISCUSSIONS

12

CONCLUSION

12

REFERENCES

13

EXPERIMENT 2: GAY - LUSSAC LAW EXPERIMENT

OBJECTIVES

14

THEORY

14

PROCEDURE

16

RESULTS

17

DISCUSSIONS

19

CONCLUSIONS

19

REFERENCES

19

EXPERIMENT 3: STEPWISE DEPRESSURIZATION

OBJECTIVES

20

THEORY

20

PROCEDURE

20
1

RESULTS

21

DISCUSSIONS

22

CONCLUSIONS

22

REFERENCES

22

EXPERIMENT 4: BRIEF DEPRESSURIZATION

OBJECTIVES

23

THEORY

23

PROCEDURE

23

RESULTS

24

DISCUSSIONS

25

CONCLUSIONS

25

EXPERIMENT 5: DETERMINATION OF RATIO OF HEAT CAPACITY

OBJECTIVES

26

THEORY

26

PROCEDURE

28

RESULTS

29

CALCULATION

29

DISCUSSIONS

29

CONCLUSIONS

29

REFERENCES

30

RECOMMENDATION

31

REFERENCES

32

APPENDICES

33

ABSTRACT

This experiment involved a perfect gas or ideal gas that has seven experiments in total but we
only performed five of it. An equipment has been used called Perfect gas expansion apparatus
(model TH11)in order to determine the properties of measurement and study the relationship
between ideal gas and various factor that can propose an understanding of first law of
thermodynamics, second law of thermodynamics and relationship between P-V-T.The
objectives of this experiment successfully achieved. Boyles and Gay-Lussacs law was
proven in this experiment when the ideal gas obeys the law. The stepwise depressurization
and brief depressurization was shown. The heat capacity was also determined. The overall
experiment was successful.

INTRODUCTION
3

An ideal gas can be characterized by three parameters: pressure, volume and temperature, for
a certain amount of gas. The law that shows the relationship between these factors is called
the Ideal Gas Law: PV = nRT where P is the pressure of the gas (in atm units), V is its volume
(in L units), n is the number of moles (one mol=6.022*10 23molecules), R is the gas constant
(atm*L)/(mol*K) and T is its temperature (in K units).[2]
First law of thermodynamics stated that the total energy of an isolated system is
constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or
destroyed.[4] In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another. The Second
Law of Thermodynamics states that "in all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves
the system, the potential energy of the state will always be less than that of the initial state."
This is also commonly referred to as entropy. [6]
The perfect gas expansion apparatus (model: TH11) is a self-sufficient bench top unit
designed to allow students to familiarize with first law of thermodynamics, second law of
thermodynamics, observation of P-V-T relationship and the observation of responses to
different rate of changes in a process. Demonstration of the thermodynamic processes is
performed with air for safe and convenient operation. The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus
comes with one pressure vessel and one vacuum vessel. Both vessels are made from glass and
can be fill up with pressure up to 0.5 bar. The volume for pressurized chamber is 25L while
for vacuum chamber is 12.5 L. The vessels are interconnected with two sets of piping and
valves. A large diameter pipe and ball valve set allow fast change and a small diameter pipe
and needle valve set provides gradual change. Vacuum/pressure air pump is provided to
pressurize or evacuate air inside the vessels with the valves configured appropriately. The
pressure and temperature inside the vessels are monitored with pressure and temperature
sensors and clearly displayed by digital indicator on the control panel. [1]
Gas particles in a box collide with its walls and transfer momentum to them during
each collision. The gas pressure is equal to the momentum delivered to a unit area of a wall,
during a unit time. Ideal gas particles do not collide with each other but only with the walls. A
single particle moves arbitrarily along some direction until it strikes a wall. It then bounces
back, changes direction and speed and moves towards another wall. The gas expansion
equations are derived directly from the law of conservation of linear momentum and the law
of conservation of energy. [3]
GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
4

GENERAL START UP PROCEDURES

1. The equipment was connected to single phase power supply and the unit was switched
on.
2. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were fully opened and the pressure reading was checked at the panel.
This is done to ensure that the chambers were under 103.25 kPa.
3. Then, valve 1, 2 and 3 were closed.
4. The pipe was connected from compressive port of the pump to the pressurized
chamber or the pipe was connected from vacuum port of the pump to vacuum
chamber.
5. The unit was ready to be used.
Valve 2

Valve 3

GENERAL SHUT- DOWN PROCEDURES

Valve 1

1. The pump was switched off and both of the pipes were removed from the
chambers.
2. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were fully opened to release the air inside the chambers.
3. The main switch and power supply were switched off.

Pressurized chamber

Control Panel
Pump switch

Vacuum hose

APPARATUS

Vacuum chamber

Pump

Pressurized hose

EXPERIMENT 1: BOYLES LAW EXPERIMENT

OBJECTIVES
6

The objectives of this experiment are:

I.
II.

To determine the relationship between pressure and volume of an ideal gas

To compare the experiment results with theoretical results

THEORY
Boyle's Law states that the product of the pressure and volume for a gas is a constant for a
fixed amount of gas at a fixed temperature. Written in mathematical terms, this law is
P V = constant
The initial state (represented by subscript i) and the final state (represented by
subscript f). If a sample of gas initially at pressure Pi and volume Vi is subjected to a change
that does not change the amount of gas or the temperature, the final pressure Pf and
volume Vf are related to the initial values by the equation:

Pi Vi = Pf Vf

[4]

Boyle (and Mariotte) derived the law solely on experimental grounds. The law can
also be derived theoretically based on the presumed existence of atoms and molecules and
assumptions about motion and perfectly elastic collisions .These assumptions were met with
enormous resistance in the positivist scientific community at the time however, as they were
seen as purely theoretical constructs for which there was not the slightest observational
evidence.
Daniel Bernoulli in 1737-1738 derived Boyle's law using Newton's laws of motion
with application on a molecular level. It remained ignored until around 1845, when John
Waterston published a paper building the main precepts of kinetic theory, this was rejected by
the Royal Society of England. Later works of James Prescott Joule, Rudolf Clausius and in
particular Ludwig Boltzmann firmly established the kinetic theory of gases and brought
attention to both the theories of Bernoulli and Waterston.
Forcing the volume, V of the fixed quantity of gas to increase,
keeping the gas at the initially measured temperature, the pressure must
decrease proportionally. Conversely, reducing the volume of the gas
increases the pressure. Boyle's law is used to predict the result of
7

introducing a change, in volume and pressure only, to the initial state of a

fixed quantity of gas. [2]
For an enclosed gas, at constant temperature (T) ie;

[3]

Figure 1 Graph pressure versus volume

Figure 2 Graph plotted based on the typical Boyles Law experiment

It is clear from the table at figure 2 that as the pressure on the sample increases, its
volume v, decreases. The data in the table is plotted on a graph. Note that since volume is the
dependent variable, it must be plotted on the y-axis, with p, the independent variable, on the
x-axis. Why does the pressure of a gas increase when the volume of the container decreases?
8

Remember that the pressure of a gas on the walls of the container is due to the collisions of
the molecules on the walls of the container. The change in momentum of these molecules in
unit time is a force exerted by the walls of the vessel on the molecules, which, by Newton's
third law, exert an equal and opposite force on the walls of the vessel. This force, divided by
the area of the walls in contact with the gas, is the pressure of the gas. [1]

PROCEDURE
1. The general start up procedures was performed. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were make sure fully
closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump was connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber was
allowed to increase up to about 150 kPa.Then, the pump was switched off and the
hose was removed from the chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it is at stable condition.
5. The pressure reading for both chambers before expansion were recorded.
6. Valve 2 was fully opened and the pressurized air was allowed to flow into the
atmospheric chamber.
7. The pressure reading for both chambers after expansion were recorded.
8. The experimental procedures were repeated for the following conditions:
a. From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber
b. From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber
9. The PV value was calculated and the Boyles Law was proved.

RESULTS
a) From atmospheric chamber to pressurized chamber
PT1 (kPa abs)
PT2 (kPa abs)

Before expansion
152.2
108.1

After expansion
134.8
134.3

b) From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber

PT1 (kPa abs)

PT2 (kPa abs)

Before expansion
103.6
58.6

After expansion
88.3
88.0

c) From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber

PT1 (kPa abs)
PT2 (kPa abs)

Before expansion
148.6
56.2

After expansion
117.4
117.1

CALCULATION

Pi Vi = Pf Vf
Vi = 0.025 m

Vf = 0.01237 m3
a) From atmospheric chamber to pressurized chamber
By using Boyles law
10

P1V1 = P2V2
(P1V1 + P2V2)initial = (P1V1 + P2V2)final
(152.20.025) + (108.10.01237) = (134.80.025) + (134.30.01237)
5.142 = 5.031
The difference is only 0.111, therefore the Boyles Law is verified.

b) From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber

By using Boyles law
P1V1 = P2V2
(P1V1 + P2V2)initial = (P1V1 + P2V2)final
(103.60.025) + (58.60.01237) = (88.30.025) + (88.00.01237)
3.315 = 3.330
The difference is only 0.015, therefore the Boyles Law is verified.

c) From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber

By using Boyles law
P1V1 = P2V2
(P1V1 + P2V2)initial = (P1V1 + P2V2)final
(148.60.025) + (56.20.01237) = (117.40.025) + (117.10.01237)
4.410 = 4.384
The difference is only 0.026, therefore the Boyles Law is verified.
DISCUSSIONS
Boyles law stated that the pressure of gas decrease proportionally to the volume of a
container. From the results, some calculation have been made in order to know the difference
value between before and after of those experiment. For experiment from atmospheric
chamber to pressurized chamber, from atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber and from
pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber, the value are 0.111, 0.015and 0.026 respectively.
These values are very small and close with the theoretical value, therefore the Boyless Law
11

is verified. According to the data tabulated, it can be said that the pressure and volume
inversely proportional. When the pressure increase, the volume start to decrease. This is
happen because if the gas of the same pressure with constant temperature injected into small
and big container which means have different volume. The gas molecule in small container
have less spacious room and will collide to the wall and with each other more often which
exert more pressure.
As in application of Boyles law, it is stated that the washer in a bicycle pump allows
air enters the barrel from outside during the upstroke, but during the downstroke, this air can
no longer escape to the outside and is compressed in the barrel. As the volume decreases, the
pressure increases, but at first, the air cannot escape because the valve in the bicycle inner
tube prevents it from entering that tube. This valve is closed because the pressure of the air
already in the tube prevents the entry of further gas. Only when the pressure of the air in the
pump is greater than that in the inner tube will the valve open and allow more air into the
tube, further increasing the pressure. This means that, at the next stroke of the pump, the air
will have to be compressed even more. As the pressure in the tube increases, it gets harder
and harder to depress the pump. [5]

CONCLUSIONS
The experiment can be conclude successful because the derivation or the difference between
the theoretical value and calculated value is small and can be considered as constant .The
Boyles law is proved.

REFERENCES
[1] (2016). Retrieved 1 April 2016,
from http://www.physchem.co.za/OB11-mat/kinetic2.html
[2] Boyle's law. (2016). Wikipedia. Retrieved 1 April 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyle%27s_law
12

[3] Boyle's Law (Theory) : Class 11 : Physics : Amrita Online Lab. (2016).
Amrita.olabs.co.in. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from http://amrita.olabs.co.in/?
sub=1&brch=5&sim=226&cnt=1
[4] Gas Laws: Boyle's Law Calculations. (2016). Chm.davidson.edu. Retrieved 27 March
2016, from http://www.chm.davidson.edu/vce/gaslaws/boyleslawcalc.html
[5] Uses and Applications of the Different Gas Laws. (2016). Scribd. Retrieved 4 April 2016,
from http://www.scribd.com/doc/24147859/Uses-and-Applications-of-the-DifferentGas-Laws#scribd
[6] Webster, C. (1965). The discovery of Boyle's law, and the concept of the elasticity of air
in the seventeenth century. Arch. Rational Mech., 2(6), 441-502.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00324880

EXPERIMENT 2: GAY-LUSSAC LAW EXPERIMENT

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this experiment is to determine the relationship between pressure and
temperature of an ideal gas.

THEORY
13

The law of combining gases was made public by Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac in 1808.
Avogadro's hypothesis, however, was not initially accepted by chemists until the Italian
chemist Stanislao Cannizzaro was able to convince the First International Chemical Congress
in 1860.Because Amontons discovered the law beforehand, Gay-Lussac's name is now
generally associated within chemistry with the law of combining volumes discussed in the
section above. Some introductory physics textbooks still define the pressure-temperature
relationship as Gay-Lussac's law. Gay-Lussac primarily investigated the relationship between
volume and temperature and published it in 1802, but his work did cover some comparison
between pressure and temperature. Given the relative technology available to both men,
Amonton was only able to work with air as a gas, where Gay-Lussac was able to experiment
with multiple types of common gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.[10] GayLussac did attribute his findings to Jacques Charles because he used much of Charles's
unpublished data from 1787 - hence, the law became known as Charles's law or the Law of
Charles and Gay-Lussac. [4]
Ideal gas particles move rapidly and randomly, they don't lose energy when they
collide, and they do not have any intermolecular forces. This means that when two ideal gas
particles get near each other, they are not attracted to each other like real gas particles may
be.
Johnny Dalton is enjoying his day at the beach on Ideal Island, the place where all
gases behave ideally .Why would heating this aerosol can be a cause for warning? Johnny
thinks for a minute and then recalls some of the ideas of kinetic molecular theory. He
remembers that as the temperature of a gas increases, the gas particles move faster and faster.
After all, temperature is really just a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles.
Also, when gas particles are moving quickly, they hit the insides of their container more
frequently. Finally, because pressure is just a measure of the force of the particles hitting the
inside of the container, the more times it hits the inside of the container, the higher the
pressure will be. [5]
This law shows the relationship between the temperature and pressure of a gas.
According to Gay-Lussacs law, the pressure of an ideal gas is directly proportional to its
temperature. This law states that at constant volume of a close container, we may conclude
that if pressure inside a container increases, the temperature inside the container also
increases.
14

Formula: This law can be expressed in the equation as follows:

P1T1 = P2T2
where,
P1 = Initial Pressure (atm)
P2 = Final Pressure (atm)
T1 = Initial Temperature (Kelvin)
T2 = Final Temperature (Kelvin)

Figure 2 Graph on Gay Lussacs Law

Key points regarding Gay Lussacs law is that volume should be constant; pressure
versus temperature graph is linear for ideal gases and temperature and pressure are directly
proportional to each other. [3]
This law can be apply when someone opening an oven may feel a quick flow of hot
air; the air inside the oven is heated, therefore pressurized. The same is true when heating
food in closed containers; often, a container will open to release the pressure. If it does not,
opening the container will quickly release all the pent-up pressure, which can be very
dangerous because the gases inside the hot container may be super-heated. This is why it is
always best to open hot containers away from your body and face. [2] Pressure cooker is also
an example of Gay Lussac's law as the temperature increases causing the pressure to increase
above the food that's being cooked which makes it faster to be cooked. [1]

PROCEDURE
1. The general start up procedures was performed. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were make sure fully
closed.
15

2. The hose from compressive pump was connected to pressurized chamber.

3. The compressive pump was switched on and the temperatures for every increment of
10kPa in the chamber were recorded. The pump was stopped when the pressure PT1
reaches about 160kPa.
4. Valve 1 was slightly opened and the pressurized air was allowed to flow out. The
temperatures reading for every decrement of 10kPa were recorded.
5. The experiment was stopped when the pressure reaches atmospheric pressure.
6. The experimental was repeated for three times to get the average value.
7. The graph of pressure versus temperature was plotted.

Pressure
(kPa
abs)

103.5
113.5
123.5
133.5
143.5
153.5
163.5

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Average

Temperature (oC)

Temperature (oC)

Temperature (oC)

Temperature (oC)

Pressurize
vessel

Depressurize
vessel

Pressurize
vessel

Depressurize
vessel

Pressurize
vessel

Depressurize
vessel

Pressurize
vessel

Depressurize
vessel

27.1
27.2
27.7
28.4
29.5
30.6
31.3

26.9
27.5
28.5
29.7
31.0
32.1
32.3

27.1
27.0
27.6
28.5
29.4
30.3
31.2

27.2
27.1
28.5
29.6
30.8
31.8
32.1

27.1
27.3
27.7
28.6
29.4
30.6
31.5

27.2
27.7
28.5
29.4
30.7
31.7
32.4

27.1
27.2
27.7
28.5
29.4
30.6
31.5

27.1
27.6
28.5
29.6
30.8
31.9
32.3

RESULTS
16

a) Pressurization process

17

Pressure vs Temperature
180
160
140
120
100
Pressure (kPa abs)

80
60
40
20
0
27.1

27.2

27.7

28.5

29.4

30.6

30.8

31.9

Temperature (oC)

b) Depressurization process

Pressure vs Temperature
180
160
140
120
100
Pressure (kPa abs)

80
60
40
20
0
27.1

27.6

28.5

29.6

Temperature (oC)

DISCUSSIONS
18

According to Gay-Lussacs law, the pressure of an ideal gas is directly proportional to its
temperature. This law states that at constant volume of a close container, we may conclude
that if pressure inside a container increases, the temperature inside the container also
increases. The graph above shown that the graph is directly proportional. Hence, the gay
lussacs law is verified.

CONCLUSIONS
From the data tabulated and graph plotted, the graph is directly proportional. It can be said
that the Gay-Lussacs Law is proved.

REFERENCES
[1] Applications - kingsacademy04. (2016). Sites.google.com. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
https://sites.google.com/site/kingsacademy04/gay-lussac-s-law/applications
[2] Bandos, G. (2016). Gay-Lussac's Law. Chemteacher.chemeddl.org. Retrieved 4 April
2016, from http://chemteacher.chemeddl.org/services/chemteacher/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=8
[3] Gay Lussac's Law | Define Gay-Lussac's,law of combining volumes. (2016). Chemistry.
Retrieved 4 April 2016, from http://byjus.com/chemistry/gay-lussacs-law-concept-andtheory/
[4] GayLussac law. (2016). Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay%E2%80%93Lussac_law
[5] Gay-Lussac's Law: Gas Pressure and Temperature Relationship - Video & Lesson
Transcript | Study.com. (2016). Study.com. Retrieved 27 March 2016, from
http://study.com/academy/lesson/gay-lussacs-law-gas-pressure-and-temperaturerelationship.html

EXPERIMENT 3: STEPWISE DEPRESSURIZATION

OBJECTIVES
19

The objective of this experiment is to study the response of the pressurized vessel following
stepwise depressurization.

THEORY
The act, or an instance, of depressurizing; a reduction of atmospheric pressure within a
chamber.[1] Depressurizing by releasing the pressure inside the chamber to the atmosphere
which they would expand at every instant opened and closed in order to identify gradual
changes in pressure and temperature within the chamber. It shows pressure decrease because
of expansion. The expansions were repeated for few times to see the pattern of pressure
decrease.

PROCEDURE
1. The general start up procedures was performed. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were make sure fully
closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump was connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber was
allowed to increase until about 160kPa.Then, the pump was switched off and the hose
was removed from the chamber.
4. The pressure inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilizes. The pressure
reading at PT1 was recorded.
5. Valve 1 was fully opened and instantly brings back to the closed position. The
pressure reading at PT1 was monitored and recorded until it becomes stable.
6. Step 5 was repeated at least four times.
7. The pressure reading was display on the graph and the graph was discussed.

RESULTS
Initial
156.9

After first
expansion
140.6

PT1 (kPa abs)

After second
expansion
125.7

After third
expansion
113.6

After fourth
expansion
105.7
20

140.7
140.9
141.0
141.1
141.2
141.3
141.2
141.3
141.2
141.2
141.2

125.8
125.9
126.0
127.3
127.5
127.9
128.0
128.2
128.1
128.2
128.1
128.0
127.9
127.8
127.6
127.6
127.6

114.1
114.6
114.8
114.9
115.1
115.7
115.8
116.1
116.2
116.4
116.5
116.5
116.6
116.6

106.4
106.9
107.2
107.6
107.8
108.0
108.1
108.2
108.1
108.1
108.1

Pressure (kPa abs)

180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0

DISCUSSIONS
Stage recovery of liquid hydrocarbons - Staged separation (depressurization) - to maximize
the liquid hydrocarbon volumes .There are four stages of depressurization which are high
21

pressure (HP), intermediate pressure (IP),free water knockout (FWKO) and the degasser/bulk
oil treater (BOT) combination.[2] The graph plotted shows that the stepwise depressurization
is inversely proportional. The number of expansion representing the time interval and
temperature at each pressure. The depressurization had shown that pressure decrease with
time and also affecting the temperature. The molecule in the container affected when the
number of them decreasing slowly as they do not have to collide between them more often.

CONCLUSIONS
The experiment is successful because the graph shows inversely proportional between
pressure and number of expansion.The stepwise depressurization is verified.

REFERENCES
[1] depressurization - Wiktionary. (2016). En.wiktionary.org. Retrieved 4

April 2016, from https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/depressurization

[2] Oil and gas separators -. (2016). Petrowiki.org. Retrieved 4 April 2016,
from http://petrowiki.org/Oil_and_gas_separators

EXPERIMENT 4: BRIEF DEPRESSURIZATION

22

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this experiment is to study the response of the pressurized vessel following
brief depressurization.

THEORY
This is similar to stepwise depressurization but reduced in terms of time. The time interval
increased to a few seconds. This is to make sure that, the effect on the pressure and
temperature can be observed which can be compared later. The graph on brief
depressurization should be higher in gradient because with the increased time interval, the gas
should expand faster.

PROCEDURE
1. The general start up procedures was performed. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were make sure fully
closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump was connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber was
allowed to increase until about 160kPa.Then, the pump was switched off and the hose
was removed from the chamber.
4. The pressure inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilizes. The pressure
reading at PT1 was recorded.
5. Valve 1 was fully opened and brings back to the closed position after few seconds.
The pressure reading at PT1 was monitored and recorded until it becomes stable.
6. Step 5 was repeated at least four times.
7. The pressure reading was display on the graph and the graph was discussed.

RESULTS
PT1 (kPa abs)
Initial

After expansion
23

156.1

106.5
108.9
109.5
109.6
109.7
109.8
110.0
111.5
111.6
111.8
112.0
112.1
112.2
112.3
112.2
112.3
112.3
112.3

Pressure (kPa abs)

180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

DISCUSSIONS

24

Brief depressurization shown in the graph plotted which decrease more linear is compared to
stepwise. The expansion occur when the pressure of gas increase. Expansion of gas decrease
as the gas is free to flow out time by time. The longer time interval gives more time for the
pressure to flow out from the chamber and settle down smoothly. The molecule in the
container affected when the number of them decreasing slowly as they do not have to collide
between them more often.

CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the brief depressurization also gives inversely proportional but has decrease
more linear compare to stepwise depressurization hence does not gives drastic changes to the
pressure flowing out of chamber. The brief depressurization is verified.

25

EXPERIMENT 5: DETERMINATION OF RATIO OF HEAT CAPACITY

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this experiment is to determine the ratio of heat capacity.

THEORY
In thermal physics and thermodynamics, the heat capacity ratio or adiabatic index or ratio of
specific heats or Poisson constant, is the ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp) to
heat capacity at constant volume (Cv). It is sometimes also known as the isentropic expansion
factor and is denoted by gamma for ideal gas) or kappa isentropic exponent, for real gas). The
symbol gamma is used by aerospace and chemical engineers. Mechanical engineers use the
Roman letter k.[3]
The ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure to that at constant volume is
commonly denoted

[4]
Ratio of Specific Heat for some gases:
Gas
Acetylene
Air, Standard
Ammonia
Argon
Benzene
N-butane
Iso-butane
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Disulphide
Carbon Monoxide
Chlorine
Ethane
Ethyl alcohol
Ethyl chloride
Ethylene
Helium
N-heptane
Hexane

Ratio of Specific Heat

-k1.30
1.40
1.32
1.66
1.12
1.18
1.19
1.28
1.21
1.40
1.33
1.18
1.13
1.19
1.24
1.66
1.05
1.06
26

Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen sulphide
Methane
Methyl alcohol
Methyl butane
Methyl chloride
Natural Gas (Methane)
Nitric oxide
Nitrogen
Nitrous oxide
N-octane
Oxygen
N-pentane
Iso-pentane
Propane
R-11
R-12
R-22
R-114
R-123
R-134a
Steam (water)
Sulphur dioxide
Toulene

1.41
1.41
1.41
1.32
1.32
1.20
1.08
1.20
1.32
1.40
1.40
1.31
1.05
1.40
1.08
1.08
1.13
1.14
1.14
1.18
1.09
1.10
1.20
1.33
1.26
1.09

The ratio of specific heat is dimensionless and the value is the same in the SI and the Imperial
system of units.[2]
The heat capacity ratio can be measured using the adiabatic expansion method. You
will use this method for the three gases: Ar, N 2 and CO2. At first, a gas with the initial
pressure, P1, expands, adiabatically and reversibly to atmospheric pressure
P2 , and then isochorically relaxes to the original temperature, T, with the
resulting pressure, P3. The pressure variation in this experiment relates to
the heat capacity ratio via:

[1]

27

PROCEDURE
1. The general start up procedures was performed. Valve 1, 2 and 3 were make sure fully
closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump was connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber was
allowed to increase until about 160kPa.Then, the pump was switched off and the hose
was removed from the chamber.
4. The pressure inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilizes. The pressure
reading at PT1 and temperature TT1 was recorded.
5. Valve 1 was fully opened and brings back to the closed position after few seconds.
The pressure reading at PT1 and temperature TT1 was monitored and recorded until it
becomes stable.
6. The ratio of the heat capacity was determined and compared with the theoretical
value.

28

RESULTS
PT1 (kPa abs)
TT1 (oC)

Initial
156.9
31.2

Intermediate
109.7
29.5

Final
113.9
29.1

CALCULATION
PiPm

PiPf
ln()
ln
Cp
=
Cv
Pi = 156.9
Pm = 109.7
Pf = 113.9
156.9109.7

156.9113.9
ln ()
ln
Cp
=
Cv
= 1.025
Deviation = (Theoretical value Calculated value) x 100%
= (1.4 1.025) x 100%
= 37.5 %
DISCUSSIONS
The expression of the heat capacity ratio and it gives the 1.025. The theoretical value of this
experiment is 1.4. The deviation which now is equal to 37.5%. The deviation is due to
measurement error. The actual intermediate pressure supposed to be lowered that the
measured one. Unfortunately the error occurs due to heat loss and sensitivity of pressure
sensors. Supposed, the intermediate pressure taken as the lowest pressure at the moment the

29

valve is closed. Since the percentage difference is more than 10%, the experiment can be
declared as failed.
CONCLUSIONS
The experiment fail maybe because of the intermediate pressure not taken directly after the
valve is closed.

REFERENCES
[1[ Chem435. Physical Chemistry Laboratory.Lab 3. Heat Capacity Ratio for Gases.. (2016).
Web.nmsu.edu. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
http://web.nmsu.edu/~snsm/classes/chem435/Lab3/
[2] Gases - Ratios of Specific Heats. (2016). Engineeringtoolbox.com. Retrieved 4 April
2016, from http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-ratio-d_608.html
[3] Heat capacity ratio. (2016). Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_capacity_ratio
[4] Heat Capacity Ratio -- from Eric Weisstein's World of Physics. (2016).
Scienceworld.wolfram.com. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/HeatCapacityRatio.html

30

RECOMMENDATION
1. When carrying out the experiment, pump pressure level should not exceed 2 bars as
excessive pressure may result in glass cylinder breaking.
2. Before the experiment begun, the general start up method had to
be performed repeatedly in order to minimize side effects which
3.
4.
5.
6.

could in turn also jeopardize the results.

Open the valve slowly to control the air release to atmosphere.
Close all valves when installing ideal gas to assign chamber.
Open the pump switch once the hose connected to chamber.
Check the connection between hose and chamber to make sure the hose is tighten to

the entrance at chamber.

7. Make sure there is no pressure inside the chamber when starting new experiment and
shut down process.
8. Always keep eyes on the sensor while monitoring the board because the temperature
or pressure could increase or decrease really fast.

31

REFERENCES
[1] (2016) (1st ed.). Retrieved from
http://solution.com.my/pdf/TH11%28A4%29%20May13%20REV0.0.pdf
[2] (2016) (1st ed.). Retrieved from https://neulog.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/07/Experiment-C-14-Gay-Lussacs-Law-Ver-3.0.3.pdf
[3] Expansion of an Ideal Gas. (2016). Urila.tripod.com. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
http://urila.tripod.com/expand.htm
[4] First law of thermodynamics. (2016). Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 April 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_law_of_thermodynamics
[5] Gases - Boyle's Law, Charles' Law, Gay-Lussac's Law, Combined Gas Law, Ideal Gas
Law, Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures. (2016). Chemistry-reference.com. Retrieved 4 April
2016, from http://chemistry-reference.com/gases/default.asp
[6] LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS. (2016). Www2.estrellamountain.edu. Retrieved 4 April
2016, from http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookEner1.html

32

APPENDICES

Figure 1 Pump

Figure 3 Pressurized Chamber

Figure 2 Control Panel

Figure 4 Vacuum Chamber

Figure 5 Valves

33