ABSTRACT

The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH 11) is a self-sufficient bench top unit
designed to allow students familiarize with several fundamental thermodynamic processes.
Boyle’s Law deals with the volume change. It is the relationship between volume and pressure
when the other two remain constant. From the result in experiment 1, the difference value obtain
is 0.31% for condition 1, while condition 2 and 3 the value is almost the same which are quit
small and close with the actual value. Gay-Lussac’s law can also be known as Charles’s law. The
temperature of a gas in container will increase, the heat energy of the system transfer its energy
into the molecule of gas which actually increase the frequency of collision in that container
which exert more pressure. Isentropic expansion process which is occur when the system are
reversible and adiabatic. Based on the result, the value of constant k obtained is equal to 1.51.

INTRODUCTION

The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH 11) is a self-sufficient bench top unit
designed to allow students familiarize with several fundamental thermodynamic processes [3].
Demonstration of the thermodynamic processes is performed with air for safe and convenient
operation. This apparatus comes with one pressure vessel and one vacuum vessel. This vessel are
made of glass tube that are linked together with a set of piping and also valves. Large diameter
pipe will provides gradual or fast change.

We can use air pump to pressurize or evacuate air inside the large vessels provided the
valves configures appropriately during the experiment. The pressure and temperature inside the
vessels can be manipulate or monitor at the pressure and temperature sensors. The digital
indicator will display the pressure and temperature on the control panel. A PVT relationship is
one of the forms of the equation of state which relates the pressure, molar volume (V) and the
temperature (T) of physically homogeneous media in thermodynamic equilibrium [3].

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 Gas particles in a box will 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. However, ideal gas particles do not collide with each other but only with the
walls.

OBJECTIVES

Experiment 1: Boyle’s Law Experiment

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

 To compare the experimental results with theoretical results.

Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

 To determine the relationship between pressure and temperature of an ideal gas.

Experiment 3:

 To demonstrate the isentropic expansion process.

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THEORY

Boyle’s Law Experiment

Boyle’s Law deals with the volume change. It is the relationship between volume and
pressure when the other two remain constant [2]. The amount of a gas will compress is
proportional to the pressure applied according to Boyle’s Law. Its mathematical expression is:

P1V1=P2V2

Where, P1 is the pressure of a quantity of gas with a volume of V1 and P2 is the pressure
of the same quantity of gas when it has a volume of V2. This mean that if nothing else changes,
the volume if a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to pressure [2]. It also can be
expressed in terms of equation as below:

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V∝ 𝑃

PV=Constant or V=constant/P

The relationship between pressure and volume results from the influence volume has on
the rate at which gas molecules collide with the container wall. If the volume decreases, the
molecules encounter the container wall more often. The number of collisions increases equates to
higher pressure [5].

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Gay-Lussac Experiment

Gay-Lussac’s law can also be known as Charles’s law. This law explain about the
relationship between pressure and temperature of gases [1]. For this experiment, we are dealing
with an alternative version of Charles’s law instead. The volume is kept constant in change for
pressure instead of ideal gas. Thus, it can be seen that gas pressure and temperature are directly
proportional to one and another. The pressure will increases when the temperature incease and
vice versa [1].The expression is as shown:

P=constant × T (at constant volume)

P/T=constant

P1 / T1 = P2 / T2

P1T2 = P2T1

Isentropic Expansion Process

Isentropic process is an idealized thermodynamic process that is adiabatic and in which

the work transfer of the system are frictionless [4]. There is no transfer of heat or matter and the
process is reversible. Isentropic is means that there is no change in entropy [4]. The second law
of thermodynamics can be expressed in terms of the entropy, S, as another state of function :

The entropy of an isolated system increases in the course of a spontaneous change:

ΔStot > 0

Stot = total energy of the system and its surrounding

For a reversible and adiabatic process, the value of entropy, S, remains the same from the initial
to the completion.

S=0

S1 = S2

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APPARATUS

Figure 1.1: Solteq® Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH11)

Including :

- Pressure transmitter
- Pressure relief valve
- Temperature sensor
- Big glass
- Small glass
- Vacuum pump
- Electrode

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PROCEDURE

General Operation :

Start-up:

1. The equipment was connected to single phase power supply and then the switch was
turned on.
2. All the valves were fully opened and the pressure reading was checked on the panel. This
is to make sure that all the chambers were all under atmospheric pressure.
3. The valves were all closed again afterwards.
4. The pipe from compressive port of the pump was connected to pressurized chamber.
5. The unit was ready for use.
6.

Experiment 1: Boyle’s Law Experiment

1. The general start up procedures is performed. All the valves are fully closed.
2. The compressive pump is switched on and the pressure inside the chamber increased up
to 150kPa. Then, the pump is switched off and the hose is removed from the chamber.
3. The pressure reading inside the chamber is monitored until its stabilized.
4. The pressure reading for both chambers before expansion is recorded.
5. V 02 is fully opened and the pressurized air flows into the atmospheric chamber.
6. The pressure reading for both chambers after expansion is recorded.
7. The experimental procedures is repeated for the following conditions:
a) From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber
b) From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber.
8. The PV value is calculated and the Boyle’s Law is proved.

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Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

Experimental procedures:

1. The general start up procedures in section 5.1 is performed. All the valves are fully
closed.
2. The hose is connected from compressive pump to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump is switched on and the temperature for every increment of 10kPa
in the chamber is recorded. The pump is stopped when the pressure PT 1 reached about
160 kPa.
4. Then, valve V 01 is slightly opened and the pressurized air is allowed to flow out. The
temperature reading for every decrement of 10kPa is recorded.
5. The experiment is stopped when the pressure reached atmospheric pressure.
6. The experiment is repeated for three times to get the average value.
7. Graph of pressure versus temperature is plotted.

Experiment 3: Determination of ratio of heat capacity.

1. The general start up procedures in section 5.1 is performed. All the valves are fully
closed.
2. The hose is connected from compressive pump to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump is switched on and the pressure inside the chamber is allowed to
increase until about 160 kPa. Then, the pump is switched off and the hose is removed
from the chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber is monitored until it stabilizes. The pressure
reading PT1 and temperature TT1 is recorded.
5. Valve V 01 is fully opened and it is bring back to the closed position after a few seconds.
The pressure reading PT 1 and TT 1 is monitored and recorded until it becomes stable.
6. The ratio of heat capacity is determined and it is compared with the theoretical value.

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RESULTS

Experiment 1: Boyle’s Law Experiment

Before expansion After expansion

PT 1 (kPa abs) 160.0 140.7
PT 2 (kPa abs) 102.5 139.8

Before expansion After expansion

PT 1 (kPa abs) 107.0 124.5
PT 2 (kPa abs) 160.0 123.6

Before expansion After expansion

PT 1 (kPa abs) 160.6 158.9
PT 2 (kPa abs) 160.0 157.9

Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Pressure Temperature Temperature Temperature
(kPa abs) (oC) (oC) (oC)
Pressurize Depressurise Pressurize Depressurise Pressurize Depressurise
vessel vessel vessel vessel vessel vessel
110 29.9 30.3 30.1 30.3 29.9 29.9
120 30.2 31.4 30.4 31.5 30.0 30.6
130 31.0 32.8 31.1 32.6 30.5 31.8
140 31.8 33.9 32.0 33.3 31.5 33.0
150 32.8 34.9 33.0 34.2 32.5 34.1

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Experiment 3: Isentropic expansion process

Before expansion After expansion

PT 1 (kPa abs) 160.0 148.0
PT 2 (kPa abs) 34.6 33.7

Sample of Calculation

Experiment 1 :

P1V1 = 160 kPa × 25 L

= 4000 kPa.L

P2V2 = 102.5 kPa × 12.5 L

= 1281.25 kPa

After :

P1V1 = 140.7 kPa × 25 L

= 3517.5 kPa.L

P2V2 = 139.8 kPa × 12.5 L

= 1747.5 kPa

Boyle’s Law stated that P1V1 = P2V2

( P1V1 + P2V2 )before = ( P1V1 + P2V2 )after

( P1V1 + P2V2 )before = (4000 + 1281.25) kPa.L

= 5281.25 kPa.L

( P1V1 + P2V2 )after = (3517.5 + 1747.5) kPa.L

= 5265 kPa.L

The difference is only 16.25 kPa.L. So, it is proven as the difference is only 0.31%.

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Experiment 2:

Pressurization Process
160

140

120
Pressure (kPa)

100

80

60

40

20

0
29.5 30 30.5 31 31.5 32 32.5 33
Temperature (oC)

Figure 1.2: Graph of pressurization process

Depressurization Process
160

140

120
Pressure (kPa)

100

80

60

40

20

0
30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Temperature (oC)

Figure 1.3: Graph of Depressurization Process

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Experiment 3:

𝑇2 𝑃2 (𝑘−1)/𝑘
= [ ]
𝑇1 𝑃1

33.7 148 (k−1)/k

= [ ]
34.6 160

k = 1.51

DISCUSSION

Boyle’s Law deals with the volume change. It is the relationship between volume and
pressure when the other two remain constant. The amount of a gas will compress is proportional
to the pressure applied according to Boyle’s Law. From the result obtain in this experiment we
can see that value of pressure increase when the volume decrease while the temperature is
constant at room temperature. This is happen because if the gas have same pressure with constant
temperature injected into small and big container that have different volume. The gas molecules
in small containers will collide with the wall and each other that exert more pressure. For the
calculation , the difference value obtain is 0.31% for condition 1, while condition 2 and 3 the
value is almost the same which are quit small and close with the actual value. So, this experiment
obeys the boyle’s law and it is verified.

Gay-Lussac’s Law stated that pressure is directly proportional to the temperature. Based
on the result obtained, we can see that the temperature will increase as the pressure increase. The
temperature of a gas in container will increase, the heat energy of the system transfer its energy
into the molecule of gas which actually increase the frequency of collision in that container
which exert more pressure. As we can see the data tabulated and graph plotted for the
pressurized and depressurized, both of experiment conducted in order to know the relationship
between pressure and temperature when the volume is kept constant.

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 Lastly, isentropic expansion process which is occur when the system are reversible and
adiabatic. Based on the result, the value of constant k obtained is equal to 1.51. It is obtained
when the both temperature and pressure of the gas before expansion is higher compared to after
the expansion. The process is isentropic as there is no change in the entropy throughout the
process.

CONCLUSION

This experiment is conducted to determine the properties of measurement according to

Boyle’s Law, Gay Lussac’s Law and isentropic expansion. Gay lussac’s law shows the
relationship between pressure, volume and temperature as the temperature increase when the
pressure increase and the volume is remain constant. The value of constant, k obtained from the
isentropic expansion is 1.51.

RECOMMENDATION

Before the experiment is started, we must do start up method repeatedly in order to make
sure that there is no gas left in the chamber to minimize side effect. When carrying out the
experiment, pump pressure level should not exceed 2 bar as excessive pressure may result in
glass cylinder breaking. When recording the data, we must keep an eye on the sensor while
monitoring the board because the parameter can increase and decrease quickly. Average reading
is taken by repeating the experiment. Make sure the place to conduct the experiment is safe and
stable.

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REFERRENCES

1. Anonyms, Gay-Lussac's law Formula, Gay Lussac's Law,

http://chemistry.tutorvista.com/inorganic-chemistry/gay-lussac-s-law.html [retrieved at : 31
October 2016]
2. Institut of Physics,Title Boyle's law,Title Boyle's law, http://practicalphysics.org/boyles-
law.html [retrieved at : 30 October 2016]
3. Aleksandrov, A.A., 2011,Thermopedia, PVT
RELATIONSHIPS, http://www.thermopedia.com/content/1067/ [retrieved at : 30 October
2016]
4. TH5 : Expansion Processes of a Perfect Gas, Armfield,
http://discoverarmfield.com/en/products/view/th5/expansion-processes-of-a-perfect-gas
[retrieved at : 31 October 2016]
5. Science Buddies Staff. (2014). Boyle's Law: Pressure vs. Volume of a Gas at Constant
Temperature. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-
projects/project_ideas/Chem_p011.shtml [Retrieved November 2, 2016]

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APPENDIX

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