ABSTRACT

The lab practical is divided into seven different experiments, each with objectives to
study the relationship between ideal gas and various other factors to deliver better
understanding of the First Law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of Thermodynamics and
relationship between P-V-T to the students. Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model TH11)
was used in this experiment. The objectives for each experiment were achieved. Boyles law
and Gay-Lussac law were proven in this experiment when the ideal gas behaved accordingly.
The volume ratio and heat capacity were also determined and they are 6.42 and 1.054. The
experiment was successful.
INTRODUCTION
The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH 11) is a self-sufficient bench top
unit designed to enable students to familiarize with some fundamental thermodynamic
processes. Comprehensive understanding of First Law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of
Thermodynamics and the P-V-T relationship is fundamentally important in the applications
of thermodynamics in the industry. The apparatus comes with one pressure vessel and one
vacuum vessel and both are made of glass tubes. The vessels are linked to one another with a
set of piping and valves. A large diameter pipe provides gradual or instant change.
Air pump is included to enable us to pressurize or evacuate air inside the large vessels
provided the valves configures appropriately during the experiment. The pressure and
temperature sensors are used to monitor and manipulate the pressure and temperature inside
the vessels and the digital indicator will display the pressure and temperature on the control
panel. This experiment dealt a lot with the properties of an ideal gas and its relationship with
the various environmental factors. An ideal gas is said to be a gas which obeys the P-V-T
relationship. A PVT relationship is one of the forms of the equations of state, which relates
the pressure, molar volume V and the temperature T of physically homogeneous media in
thermodynamic equilibrium (Reid, Prausnitz & Sherwood, 1977).
Other than that, ideal gas is also a gas that exhibits simple linear relationships among
volume, pressure, temperature and amount (Silberberg, 2007: 143). 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. However,
ideal gas particles do not collide with each other but only with the walls. A single particle
1

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 (Sears & Salinger, 1975).

OBJECTIVES
Experiment 1: Boyles 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

1. To determine the relationship between pressure and temperature of an ideal gas.
Experiment 3: Isentropic Expansion process
2. To demonstrate the insentropic expansion process.
Experiment 4: Stepwise Depressurization
3. To study the response of the pressurized vessel following stepwise depressurization.
Experiment 5: Brief Depressurization
4. To study the response of the pressurized vessel following a brief depressurization.
Experiment 6: Determination of ratio of volume
5. To determine the ratio of volume and compares it to the theoretical value.
Experiment 7: Determination of ratio of heat capacity
6. To determine the ratio of heat capacity.

THEORY
Boyles Law Experiment
The relationship between volume and pressure of a gas can be explained with Boyles
law: at constant temperature, the volume occupied by a fixed amount of gas is inversely
proportional to the applied (external) pressure (Silberberg, 2007: 144).
Or it can also be expressed in terms of equation as below:
V
PV = constant or V =
According to the mathematical expressions derived from Boyles law above, provided
that T and n are fixed, pressure and volume are indirectly related to one another in a sense
that if the volume increases, then the pressure shall decrease, and vice versa. This can also be
explained through gas particles collisions theory (kinetic molecular theory) in which when
the volume of a chamber containing a gas is reduced, the probability of gas particles to come
in contact with one another during collision and with the walls of the container will increase,
hence the elevated pressure (Adamson, 1979).

Figure 1: Mathematical/Graphical relationship between the volume of a fixed mass of gas and
pressure is hyperbolic (Boyles law). The gas temperature remains constant.
(Thomas, Stamatakis, 2009)

Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

Ga-Lussac law is also commonly known as Charless law. The law explains about the
relationship between pressure and temperature of gases. The law was established in the early
19th century by Jacques Charles and Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac who did a study on the effect
of temperature on the volume of a sample of gas subjected to constant pressure (Atkins,
2002). Charles did the original work, which was then verified by Gay-Lussac (grc.nasa.gov).
However, in this lab practical, we are dealing with an alternative version of Charless
law instead. The volume is kept constant in change for pressure instead as the objective of the
experiment is to determine the relationship between pressure and temperature of ideal gas.
The expression is as shown:
p = constant x T (at constant volume)
*This version of law also indicates that the pressure of gas falls to zero as the
temperature is reduced to zero (Atkins, 2002).
Thus it can be seen that gas pressure and the temperature are directly proportional to
one another. When the pressure increases, the temperature also increases, and vice versa.
PT
P = constant T
P/T = constant
P1/T1 = P2/T2
P1T2 = P2T1
The equations above apply in the gas of dealing with the relationship between
pressure and temperature of a gas.

Figure 2: Mathematical/Graphical relationship between pressure of a fixed mass of

gas with temperature at a constant volume is linear. The volume is constant.
Isentropic Expansion Process
Isentropic basically means no change in entropy. According to grc.nasa.gov, entropy
has a variety of physical interpretations, including the statistical disorder of the system, but
often perceived to be just another property of the system, like enthalpy or temperature. 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:
Stot > 0
Where Stot is the total energy of the system and its surroundings. Thermodynamically
irreversible processes (like cooling to the temperature of surroundings and the free expansion
of gases) are spontaneous processes, and hence must be accompanied by an increase in total
entropy (Atkins, 2002: 92).
However, for a reversible and an adiabatic process, the value of entropy, S, remains
the same from the initial to the state of completion.
S=0
S1 = S2

Stepwise Depressurization Experiment

The stepwise depressurization is conducted by depressurizing the pressurized
chamber or tank gradually by releasing the gas expansion at every instance the valves are
opened and closed to see the gradual changes in pressure within the container. Pressure
decreases with the expansion.
Brief Depressurization Experiment
Similar procedures as previous lab practical, but the time interval of valves opening
increased to a few seconds. This is so that the effects or response of brief depressurization of
the gas could be observed. With the increased time interval, the gas should expand faster.
Determination of Ratio of Volume Experiment
The ratio of volume of gas expansion between the chambers and the atmosphere
should be the same (or at least almost) with the theoretical value. The following equations
can be used to evaluate and calculate the values:
P1 V1 = P2 V2
V2/ V1 = P1/ P2
V2/ V1 = Ratio value
*And then the value is compared to the theoretical value of the volume ratio which is:

Determination of Ratio of Heat Capacity

The heat capacity is a constant that tells how much heat is added per unit temperature
rise (ngr.nasa.gov). The heat capacity can be represented as Cp, which indicates the heat
capacity of a gas in a system with constant pressure. Also, the heat capacity can be
represented as Cv, for heat capacity of a gas in a system with constant volume (Materials and
Enegery Balance). These are derived for an equation of relating to the isobaric and isochoric
processes, which finally led to a simple equation for the heat capacity of ideal gas:
Cp Cv = R

For the ideal gas state, the heat capacity may be expressed through statistical
mechanics in terms of the contributions to the translational and internal energies of the
molecules (Rushbrooke, 1949). In turn, some of the internal contribution arising from
rotational, vibrational and electronic modes of motion can often then be determined from
spectroscopic measurement of the frequencies of the normal mode of motion of the molecule.
For many molecules, this process provides a more accurate means of determining the idealgas heat capacity of the material than direct measurement (de Reuck & Craven, 1993).
As the density is increased from the ideal gas state, the energy of the ensemble of
molecules acquires a component arising from the interactions between molecules (the
configurational part) and this cannot be evaluated theoretically for any but the simplest
molecules so that the only source of information on the heat capacity is then from direct or
indirect measurement. When there are no measurements available it is necessary to have
recourse to estimation methods (Reid, Prausnitz & Sherwood, 1975).

APPARATUS
There was only one equipment used for this lab practical (10) for all the experiments, and that
is the Solteq Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH11).

Figure 3: Solteq Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH11).

Including:
-

Pressure Transmitter (1), Pressure Relief Valve (2), Temperature Sensor (3), Big
Glass (4), Small Glass (5), Vacuum Pump (6) and Electrode (7).

METHOD
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 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.

Experiment 1:
1. The general start up method as previously mentioned was performed and the
valves were once again made sure to be fully closed.
2. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber
was allowed to increase up to about 150kPa. Then, the pump was switched off
and the hose was removed from the chamber.
3. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilized.
4. The pressure reading for both chambers before expansion was recorded.
5. The V 02 was fully opened and the pressurized air flows were allowed into the
atmospheric chamber.
6. The pressure reading for both chambers after expansion was recorded.
7. The experimental methodology was repeated for the following conditions:

From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber;

From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber.

8. The PV value was calculated and Boyles Law was proven in further sections.
Experiment 2:
1. The general start up method was performed again.
2. The hose was connected from the compressive pump to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the temperature for every
increment of 10kPa in the chamber was recorded. The pump was stopped
when the pressure PT 1 reaches about 160kPa.
4. Then, the valve V 01 was slightly opened and the pressurized air was allowed
to flow out. The temperature reading for every decrement of 10kPa was
recorded.
5. The experiment was stopped when the pressure reached atmospheric pressure.
6. The experiment was repeated for three times to get the average value.
7. A graph was plotted to represent the pressure versus temperature.
Experiment 3:
1. The general start up procedures was performed.
2. The hose was connected from compressive pump 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 reading inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilized. The
pressure reading PT 1 and temperature TT 1 were recorded.
5. Valve V 01 was slightly opened and air was allowed to flow out slowly until it
reached atmospheric pressure.
6. The pressure reading and the temperature reading after the expansion process
were recorded.
7. The isentropic expansion process was discussed in further section.
Experiment 4:
1. The general start up procedure was performed.
2. The hose from the compressive pump was connected to the pressurized
chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber
was allowed to increase until about 160kPa. The pump was then switched off
and the hose was removed from its chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilized. The
pressure reading PT 1 was recorded.
5. The valve V 01 was fully opened and brought back to closed position
instantly. The pressure reading PT 1 was monitored and recorded until it
became stable.
6. Step 5 was repeated at least four times.
Experiment 5:
1. General start up procedure was performed.
2. The hose was connected from the compressive pump to the pressurized
chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and allowed to increase the pressure
inside the chamber until about 160kPa. Then it was switched off and the hose
was removed.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilized. The
pressure reading was recorded as PT 1.
10

5. The valve V 01 was fully opened and brought back to closed position after a
few seconds. The pressure reading after expansion was monitored and
recorded as PT 1 until it became stable.
6. The result was displayed on graph and further discussed.
Experiment 6:
1. General start up procedure was performed and valves were made sure to be
closed.
2. Compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the chamber was
allowed to increase up to about 150kPa. Then, the pump was switched off and
the hose was removed from the chamber.
3. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it stabilized.
4. The pressure reading for both chambers was recorded before expansion.
5. Valve V 02 was opened and the pressurized air was allowed to flow into the
atmospheric chamber slowly.
6. The pressure reading for both chambers after expansion was recorded.
7. The experimental procedures were repeated for the following conditions:

From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber.

From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber.

8. The ratio of volume was calculated and compared with the theoretical value.
Experiment 7:
1. The general start up method was performed.
2. The 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 reading inside the chamber was monitored until is stabilized. The
pressure reading PT1 and temperature TT1were recorded.
5. The valve V 01 was fully opened and brought back to closed until after a few
seconds. The reading PT1 and temperature TT1 were monitored and recorded
until they became stable.
6. The ratio of the heat capacity was determined and then compared with the
theoretical value.
11

RESULTS

A. Experiment 1

Part
PT 1 to PT 2
PT 2 to PT 1
Both PT 1 and PT 2

Pressure (kPa)
PT 1
Before expansion After expansion
159.1
102.0
102.4
165.4
158.6
161.8

PT 2
Before expansion
After expansion
140.2
140.1
122.4
122.2
159.5
159.3

B. Experiment 2

Pressure
(kPa)

112
122
132
142
152
162

Temperature
o
C
Trial 1
Trial 2
Pressurized Depressurized Pressurized
28.4
27.5
27.4
29.0
27.7
27.9
29.7
28.3
28.9
30.5
29.1
29.9
31.5
30.8
30.9
32.1
32.1
31.8

Depresurized
28.2
28.6
29.4
30.4
32.0
32.1

Trial 3
Pressurized Depresurrized
27.6
28.7
28.0
29.8
28.9
30.7
30.0
31.9
30.9
32.5
31.9
32.7

C. Experiment 3

Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (oC)

Before expansion
163.4
30.8

After expansion
102.1
27.3

D. Experiment 4

Before expansion
162.3

1st
144.3

Pressure (kPa)
After expansion
2nd
133.8

3rd
120.1

4th
101.2
12

E. Experiment 5

Pressure (kPa)
Before expansion
162.2

After expansion
123.4

F. Experiment 6

Part
PT 1 to PT 2
PT 2 to PT 1
Both PT 1 and PT 2

Pressure (kPa)
PT 1
Before expansion After expansion
159.0
102.0
102.2
160.8
159.5
160.3

Before expansion
140.0
121.5
159.6

PT 2
After expansion
139.9
121.4
159.5

G. Experiment 7

Pressure (kPa)
Temperature (oC)

Before expansion
159.7
32.4

After expansion
139.2
30

13

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

A. Experiment 1
PT1 to PT2:
P1 = 159.1 102.0

P1VI = 57.1 x 25

= 57.1kPa

= 1427.5kPa.L

P2 = 140.2 140.1

P2V2 = 0.1 x 12.3

= 0.1kPa

= 1.23kPa.L

B. Experiment 2

Pressure (kPa)
112.00
122.00
132.00
142.00
152.00
162.00

Depressurized
28.13
28.70
29.47
30.47
31.77
32.30

Pressurization Process
32.50
32.00
31.50
Pressure (kPa)

Average
Teamperature (oC)
Pressurized
27.80
28.30
29.17
30.13
31.10
31.93

31.00
30.50
30.00
29.50
29.00
28.50
28.00
27.50
0.00

50.00

100.00
Temperature

150.00

200.00

(oC)

14

Depressurization Process
33.00
32.50
32.00

Pressure (kPa)

31.50
31.00
30.50
30.00
29.50
29.00
28.50
28.00
27.50
0.00

50.00

100.00
Temperature (oC)

150.00

200.00

C. Experiment 3

K = 0.4818

Pressure (kPa)

D. Experiment 4
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0

Expansion

15

E. Experiment 5
180
160

Pressure (kPa)

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Expansion

F. Experiment 6
P1V1 = P2V2
P1/P2 = V2/V1
Theoretical value: V2/V1 = 12.37L/25.00L
= 0.49

PT 1 to PT 2 :

P1/P2 = 102.0kPa/159.0kPa
= 0.642

G. Experiment 7

16

Ratio:

Theoretical value of

is 1.4

DISCUSSION
From what Boyles law states about the relationship between the pressure and of a gas
and its volume, which is that they are inversely proportional to one another; this can be seen
and proven with the result obtained for this experiment. According to the tabulated data of
our result and calculations, they confirm our theory earlier and the pressure and volume of the
gas are indirectly proportional to one another. As the pressure increases, the volume starts to
decrease, and vice versa.
Take one big container and a smaller one. The bigger container will have lower gas
pressure of a fixed mass compared to the smaller one provided that the temperature for both
containers is constant. This is because the gas particles in the bigger container have a more
spacious room to avoid collisions with one another and against the walls of the container
which could exert pressure. Whilst in the smaller container, the gas particles have limited
space and thus random collisions with one another and against the walls occur frequently
exerting force (momentum) and causing the intense pressure. This collision theory can help to
explain the theory and result (Silberberg, 2007).
The volume(s) of the gas can be calculated using the ideal gas formula PV = RT and
after they are obtained, it can be used in the P1V1 = P2V2 to prove Boyles law. In the next
experiment, the Gay-Lussac law (Charles law) was studied in determining the relationship
between pressure and temperature. According to our result, as the pressure increases in the
chamber(s) when the compressive pump pressurized them, the temperature increases. This
confirmed Charles and Gay-Lussacs work and theory as well as the law. When volume is
held at a constant level, the temperature of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its
absolute pressure: P/T = k. Gases expand when heated that is, density decreases and thus
warm air rises (Turner & Cooper, 2012).
The Second Law of Thermodynamics is also the basis of the thermodynamic (Kelvin)
temperature scale and defines entropy, a new state function. Calculations of the entropy
changes for isothermal, isobaric, isochoric processes and for phase transitions and can be
described (Fegley, 2013). In this experiment, the isentropic behaviour of the process was
17

studied. With the result gained, it seems that both the temperature and pressure of the gas
before expansion were higher compared to after expansion. However, to be discussed is
really the mechanism behind the process. The process is claimed to be isentropic, which
means there was no change in entropy throughout out the process. This is only valid for
spontaneous process and irreversible ones according to a book of fundamental
thermodynamics study by Peter Atkins written in 2002. At the same time, on the other hand
the process conducted with the apparatus was claimed to be adiabatic and reversible.
In the stepwise and brief depressurization experiments, the strategy to adopt an equaltime-stepwise depressurization approach in this study yielded a more reliable result for
example in the production sector in industries. The substance onset pressure is found to be
affected by the way of system depressurization (frequency and time step magnitude) since it
has a direct bearing on the stabilization time (Petrowiki.org). With the last two experiments,
the volume ratio and the heat capacity ratio were determined. The percentage in difference of
the volume theoretical value with the result acquired is about 31 percent which is pretty large.
This couldve been due to environmental factors affecting the stability of the pressure and
temperature or random mistakes done during the experiment. For the heat capacity, the
difference between the resulted value of heat capacity ratio and the theoretical value is about
24.71 percent. This also deviated really much from the theoretical value and can be explained
by the accidental mistakes done.

CONCLUSIONS

Basically the experiment was a success considering all the objectives were achieved
despite the large deviation of figures between the theoretical ratio values and the obtained
figures. Throughout the studies, it is found that some of the gas laws for the perfect or ideal
gas are just limiting laws because gas dont actually behave perfectly in the real world.
Nevertheless, in this experiment, the gas seemed to have obeyed Boyles law and Gay-Lussac
law in the relationship between pressure, volume and temperature. The ratio of the volume of
the gas indicates and expresses the dynamics of compression and expansion of the gases. The
ratio of heat capacity gives the capacity or amount of heat that could be taken up by the gas in
expansion process.

18

RECOMMENDATIONS

The experiments must be done under the ideal gas properties measurement and
obeying the P-V-T relationship. Before the experiment begun, the general start up method
had to be performed repeatedly in order to minimize side effects which could in turn also
jeopardize the results. The apparatus must be handled carefully to avoid any accidents in the
lab such as explosion due to excessive pressure within the chambers. They must all be
adjusted and connected to the right ports. The valves had to be watched and opened carefully
in accordance to the procedures or manuals given to avoid any mistakes. Lastly always keep
eyes on the sensor while monitoring the board because the temperature or pressure could
increase or decrease really fast.

REFERENCES

1. Reid, R., Prausnitz, J.M., and Sherwood, T.K. (1977) The Properties of Gases and
Liquids, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill.
2. F.W. Sears, G.L. Salinger, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical
Thermodynamics (Addison-Wesley, 3rd ed 1975) pp 254-266, 354-360.
3. Gary Thomas, Stephen Stamakis, (2009) Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine:
Physics of Gases, Elsevier.
4. Reid, R. C, Prausnitz, J. M., and Sherwood, T. K. (1977) The Properties of Gases and
Liquids, McGraw-Hill, New York.
5. Rushbrooke, G. S. (1949) Introduction to Statistical Mechanics, Clarendon, Oxford.
6. de Reuck, K. M. and Craven, R. J. B. (1993) International Thermodynamic Tables of
the Fluid State12: Methanol, Blackwell Scientific, Oxford.
7. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/aglussac.html
8. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/thermo2.html
9. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/specheat.html
10. www.petrowiki.org
11. Arthur W. Adamson, (1979), A Textbook of Physical Chemistry: Chapter Six: The
Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics & Chapter 14, 2nd Edition, University of
Southern California, Page 173-225, 543-601.
12. Martin Silberberg, 2007, Principles of General Chemistry, 1st Edition, McGraw-Hill.
19

13. Peter Atkins & Julio de Paula, 2002, Physical Chemistry, 7th Edition, Oxford, Page 810, 92 & 103.

20

APPENDICES

21

22