Verification of Boyles Law using a pressure sensor
Verification of Boyle’s Law using a pressure sensor and a datalogger T. H. The Professional Development Service for Teachers is funded by the Department of Education and Skills under the National Development Plan
Apparatus PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 2
Apparatus PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 3
Method § Connect the pressure sensor to the datalogger PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 4
Method § Set the syringe to 20 cm 3. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 5
Method § Connect the syringe to the pressure sensor. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 6
Method § Open your datalogging software, e. g. Data. Studio. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 7
Method § Click “Create Experiment”. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 8
Method § Choose the correct sensor. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 9
Method § Choose “Digits” from the display list. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 10
Method § Click “Start” and record the volume of air in the syringe and the pressure, p, from the display. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 11
§ Repeat, changing the volume, V, of air in the syringe by pressing the piston. § Wait a moment for the air to return to room temperature after changing its volume. § Graph the pressure, p, against 1/V. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 12
Use the following table to draw a suitable graph to verify Boyle’s law. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 13
Remember! Boyle’s law states that, for a fixed mass of gas, the pressure is inversely proportional to the volume as long as the temperature remains constant. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 14
Note: Don’t forget to draw a new table, using 1/V instead of V. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 15
Graph the points from the second table and draw the best straight line. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 16
A straight line graph through the origin shows that p is proportional to 1/V. This verifies Boyle’s law. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 17
Sources of Error § Take the readings from the syringe at eye level to avoid the error of parallax. Pause between readings to allow the air in the syringe to return to room temperature. © Tom Healy, Cabinteely Community School, Dublin. PDST Resources for Leaving Certificate Physics 18
- Slides: 18