Abstract

The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus is used to carry out four experiments which are
Boyle’s law experiment and determination of ratio of volume, Gay-Lussac law experiment,
determination of ratio of heat capacity and isentropic expansion process. The first experiment
is about the Boyle’s law. Boyle’s law states that at constant temperature for a fixed mass, the
absolute pressure and the volume of a gas are inversely proportional. The second experiment
is about Gay-Lussac law. Gay-Lussac’s law state that the pressure is directly proportional to
the temperature at the constant mass and volume of gas. Results obtained from the
experiment definite that the relationship between pressure and temperature of an ideal gas can
be determined by plotting the graph of pressure versus temperature. Based on the graph
plotted, the pressure is increase directly proportional to the temperature. The third experiment
is to determine the ratio of heat capacity. The heat capacity ratio is the ratio of the heat
capacity at constant pressure to heat capacity at constant volume also known as the isentropic
expansion factor. Based on the experiment conducted, the ratio of heat capacity that we get is
1.09. The forth experiment is about the isentropic expansion process. This experiment is just
to demonstrate the isentropic expansion process.
Introduction

The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH11) is a self-sufficient bench top unit
designed to allow students familiarize with several fundamental thermodynamic processes.
Demonstration of the thermodynamic processes is performed with air for safe and convenient
operation.

The Perfect Gas Law Apparatus is customarily designed and developed to provide
students a comprehensive understanding of First Law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of
Thermodynamics and relationship between P-V-T. The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus
enable the students to have a good understanding in energy conservation law and the
direction in which the processes proceed.

The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus comes with one pressure vessel and one
vacuum vessel. Both vessels are made of glass tube. The vessels are interconnected with a set
of piping and valves. A large diameter pipe provides gradual or instant change. 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 are clearly displayed by digital indicator on the control panel. With
an optional automatic data acquisition system, the modern version of a classic Clement and
Desormes experiment can be conducted as pressure and temperature changes can be
monitored continuously with the computer.

1 Pressure Transmitter

2 Pressure Relief Valve

3 Temperature Sensor

4 Big Glass

5 Small Glass

6 Vacuum Pump

7 Electrode
Objectives

Experiment 1: Boyle’s Law Experiment and Determination of Ratio of Volume

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

2. To compare the experimental results with theoretical results.
3. To determine the ratio of volume and compares it to the theoretical value

Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

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

Experiment 3: Determination of Ratio of Heat Capacity

1. To determine the ratio of heat capacity.

Experiment 4: Isentropic Expansion Process

1. To demonstrate the isentropic expansion process.

Theory

The perfect gas also known as ideal gas. An ideal gas is defined as one in which all collisions
between atoms or molecules are perfectly elastic and in which there are no intermolecular
attractive forces. An ideal gas is also an imaginary substance that obeys the ideal gas equation
of state.

An Englishman, Robert Boyle, discovered in his experiment that the pressure of gases
is inversely proportional to their volume in a vacuum chamber around in 1662. In 1802, J.
Charles, and J. Gay-Lussac, Frenchmen were determined that at low pressures the volume of
a gas is proportional to its temperature. That is,

T
P=R( ) (First equation-1)
V

Where, R = gas constant and is different for each gas

Equation (1) is called the ideal gas equation of state. Any gas that obeys this law is
called an ideal gas. In the ideal gas equation of state, P is the absolute pressure, T is the
absolute temperature and v is the specific volume. Therefore, the ideal gas equation of state
can be written in other form:

V = mv, thus

PV = mRT (Second equation-2)

By writing equation (2) twice for a fixed mass and simplifying, the properties of ideal
gas at two different states related to each other by:

P1V 1 P2V 2
= (Third equation-3)
T1 T2

It has been experimentally observed that ideal gas relation closely approximate the P-
v-T behaviour of real gases at low density. At low pressure and high temperature, the density
of gas decreases, and the gas behaves as an ideal gas under these conditions.
 Besides of ideal gas equation of state, the ideal gas also obeys the following law:

a) Boyle’s law
Boyle’s law states that at constant temperature for a fixed mass, the absolute
pressure and the volume of a gas are inversely proportional.

b) Charles’s Law
Volume and temperature are directly proportional, as long as the pressure
stays at a constant.
c) Gay-Lussac’s law
Gay-Lussac’s law states that the pressure is directly proportional to the
temperature at the constant mass and volume of gas.

Apparatus and material

 Pressure transmitter
 Pressure relief valve
 Temperature sensor
 Big glass
 Small glass
 Vacuum pump
 Electrode
Experimental procedure

General operating procedures

General start-up procedure

1. The equipment is connected to single phase power supply and then switch on
the unit.
2. All the valves are fully opened and check the pressure reading on the panel.
This is to make sure that the chambers are under atmospheric pressure.
3. Then, all the valves are closed.
4. The pipe from compressive port of the pump is connected to pressurized
chamber or the pipe from vacuum port of the pump is connected to vacuum
chamber.
5. Now, the unit is ready for use.

General shut-down procedure

1. The pump is switched off and removes both pipes from the chambers.
2. The valves are fully opened to release the air inside the chambers.
3. The main switch and power supply are switched off.

Experiment 1: Boyle’s Law Experiment & Determination of ratio of volume

Precautions:

When carrying out the experiment, pump pressure level should not exceed 2 bar as excessive
pressure may result in glass cylinder breaking.

Experimental Procedures:

1. Perform the general start up procedures. Make sure all valves are fully closed.
2. The compressive pump is switched on and allow the pressure inside chamber to
increase up to about 150-160 kPa. Then, the pump is switched off and the hose is
removed from the chamber.
3. The pressure reading inside the chamber is monitored until it stabilizes.
4. The pressure reading for both chambers is recorded before expansion.
5. The valve V 02 is fully opened and allows the pressurized air flows into the
atmospheric chamber.
 6. The pressure reading for both chambers is recorded after expansion.
7. The experimental procedures can be repeated for the following conditions:
a) From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber
b) From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber
7.1 For vacuum chamber procedure, on pump to release pressure until 50-60 kPa.
7.2 The valve V 02 is fully opened and allows the pressurized air flows into the
atmospheric chamber.
7.3 The pressure reading for both chambers is recorded after expansion.
8. The PV value is calculated and proves the Boyles’ Law.
9. The ratio of volume is calculated and compares it with the theoretical value.

Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

Experimental Procedure:

1. Perform the general start up procedures. Make sure all valves are fully closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump is connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump is switched on and records the temperature for every
increment of 10kPa in the chamber. Stop the pump when the pressure PT 1 reaches
about 160kPa.
4. Then, slightly open the valve V 01 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 reaches atmospheric pressure.
6. Repeated the experiment for three times to get the average value.
7. The graph of pressure versus temperature is plotted.
Experiment 3: Determination of ratio of heat capacity

Procedures:

1. Perform the general start up procedures. Make sure all valves are fully closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump is connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump is switched on and allows the pressure inside chamber to
increase until about 160 kPa. Then, switch off the pump and the hose is removed from
the chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber is monitored until it stabilizes. The pressure
reading PT 1 and temperature TT 1 are recorded.
5. The valves V01 is fully opened and bring it back to the closed position after a few
seconds. The pressure reading PT 1 and the temperature reading TT 1 are monitored
and recorded until it becomes stable.
6. The ratio of heat capacity is determined and compared with the theoretical value.

Experiment 4: Isentropic Expansion Process

Procedure:

1. Perform the general start up procedures. Make sure all valves are fully closed.
2. The hose from compressive pump is connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump is switched on and allows the pressure inside chamber to
increase until about 160 kPa. Then, switch off the pump and the hose is removed from
the chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber is monitored until it stabilizes. The pressure
reading PT 1 and temperature TT 1 are recorded.
5. Then, slightly open the valve V 01 and the air is allowed to flow out slowly until it
reaches atmospheric pressure.
6. The pressure and temperature reading are recorded after the expansion process.
7. Discuss the isentropic expansion process.
 Results and calculation

Experiment 1: Boyle’s Law Experiment (P, V)

(a) From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber:

Before Expansion After Expansion

PT 1 (kPa 160.0 140.1

abs)

PT 2 (kPa 100.9 139.5

abs)

(b) From vacuum chamber to pressurized chamber:

Before Expansion After Expansion

PT 1 (kPa 101.5 88.9

abs)

PT 2 (kPa 65.1 88.2

abs)

(c) Expansion of pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber:

Before Expansion After Expansion

PT 1 (kPa 156.8 121.30

abs)

PT 2 (kPa 61.3 123.4

abs)
 Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac’s Law Experiment (P, T)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C)

Pressur
e (kPa Pressuris Depressuris Pressuris Depressuris Pressuris Depressuris Pressuris Depressuris
abs) e vessel e vessel e vessel e vessel e vessel e vessel e vessel e vessel

110 24.4 27.7 25.3 24.2 23.7 23.8 24.5 25.2

120 24.8 28.1 25.4 25.0 24.1 24.4 24.8 25.8

130 25.6 28.7 26.3 26.1 24.8 25.6 25.6 26.8

140 26.5 28.9 27.1 27.4 25.9 26.8 26.5 27.7

150 27.5 29.1 27.9 28.8 27.0 28.3 27.5 28.7

160 28.5 29.5 28.9 30.0 27.9 29.4 28.4 29.6

Pressure vs Temperature
 35

30

25

20 pressurized
15 vacuum

10

0
110 120 130 140 150 160

Graph 1: The relationship between pressure and temperature during pressurize and
depressurize.
Experiment 3: Determination of ratio of heat capacity

Initial Intermediate Final

PT 1 (kPa 157.5 101.6 105.2

abs)

TT 1 (℃ ) 29.0 27.5 25.1

Experiment 4: Isentropic Expansion Process

Before Expansion After Expansion

PT 1 (kPa 156.7 101.6

abs)

TT 1 (℃ ) 29.0 23.7

Cp
Ratio of heat capacity, k =
Cv
 Cp ln Pinitial−ln P intermediate ln 101.8−ln 153.7 ln 157.5−ln 101.6
k= = = = 1.09
Cv ln P initial−ln P final ln 101.8−ln 152.0 ln 157.5−ln 105.2
Discussion

Four experiments are carried out which are Boyle’s law experiment and determination
of ratio of volume, Gay-Lussac law experiment, determination of ratio of heat capacity and
isentropic expansion process. The first experiment is about the Boyle’s law. Boyle’s law
states that at constant temperature for a fixed mass, the absolute pressure and the volume of a
gas are inversely proportional. The law can also be stated in a slightly different manner, that
the product of absolute pressure and volume is always constant. The mathematical equation
for Boyle's law is, PV = k , which is

P = pressure of the system

V = volume of the gas

k = constant value representative of the pressure and volume

of the system

As temperature remains constant, the same amount of energy given to the system
continuously. The value of k will remain constant. As the volume was at fixed quantity of gas
to increase, it will keep the gas at the initially measured temperature and the pressure should
decrease proportionally. Pressure will increase as the volume decrease.

Boyle's law is used to define the result of change in volume and pressure to the initial
state of a fixed quantity of gas. The equation for Boyle’s law is

The second experiment is about Gay-Lussac law. Gay-Lussac’s law state that the
pressure is directly proportional to the temperature at the constant mass and volume of gas.
The equation for this law is
 Or

Where: P is the pressure of the gas (measured in atm).

T is the temperature of the gas (measured in Kelvin).

k is a constant.

This law proved that temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of a
substance as the kinetic energy of a gas increases, its particles collide with the container walls
more rapidly, thereby exerting increased pressure.

For comparing the same substance under two different sets of conditions, the law can be
written as:

This experiment is to determine the relationship between pressure and temperature of

an ideal gas. From the result that we get from this experiment, the relationship between
pressure and temperature of an ideal gas can be determined by plotting the graph of pressure
versus temperature. From the graph plotted, the pressure is increase directly proportional to
the temperature.

The third experiment is to determine the ratio of heat capacity. The heat capacity ratio
is the ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure to heat capacity at constant volume. It is
sometimes also known as the isentropic expansion factor. Based on the experiment that
carried out, the ratio of heat capacity that we get is 1.09.

Cp cp
Ratio of heat capacity, k = =
Cv cv

Where, Cp = heat capacity at constant pressure c p = specific heat capacity at constant

pressure
 Cv = heat capacity at constant volume cv = specific heat capacity at constant
volume

Experiment about a closed cylinder with a locked piston contains air is an example of
ratio of heat capacity. The pressure inside is equal to the outside air pressure. This cylinder is
heated to a certain temperature. Since the piston cannot move, the volume is constant, while
temperature and pressure rise. When temperature reached the required point, the heating
stopped. Then the piston is now freed and moves outwards, expanding without exchange of
heat. This work will cause the cooling of the air inside the cylinder to below the required
temperature. To return to the required temperature while still with a free piston, the air must
be heated. This extra heat amounts to about 40% more than the previous amount added. In
this example, the amount of heat added with a locked piston is proportional to , whereas
the total amount of heat added is proportional to .

The forth experiment is about the isentropic expansion process. This experiment is
just to demonstrate the isentropic expansion process. Isentropic means no change in entropy.
Entropy is a type of energy like heat, work, and enthalpy and is by definition energy which is
lost in a process. Expansion means increase in volume of a gas. The mass or the amount of
gas there does not change but its volume does. Expansion will cause a change in pressure if
temperature is held constant, isothermal or a change in temperature if pressure is held
constant, isobaric. These will not be isentropic because some heat transfer is required to keep
either pressure or temperature constant. An isentropic process is an idealisation of the
expansion process which assumes there is no heat transfer between the system and its
surroundings. No heat transfer is called adiabatic. We can say this because entropy is directly
related to heat transfer by the equation:

δQ = TdS

Where δQ = heat transfer

T = temperature

dS = change in entropy
Isentropic process occurs when both processes is reversible and adiabatic.

An isentropic flow is a flow that is both adiabatic and

reversible. Which is means no heat is added to the flow, and no energy transformations occur
due to friction or dissipative effects. For an isentropic flow of a perfect gas, several relations
can be derived to define the pressure, density and temperature along a streamline. Note that
energy can be exchanged with the flow in an isentropic transformation, as long as it doesn't
happen as heat exchange. An example of such an exchange would be an isentropic expansion
or compression that entails work done on or by the flow.

Conclusion

Four experiments are carried out which are Boyle’s law experiment and determination of
ratio of volume, Gay-Lussac law experiment, determination of ratio of heat capacity and
isentropic expansion process. From the first experiment which is Boyle’s law, we can
determine the relationship between pressure and volume. We can see in when the volume is
expanded or increased, the pressure will decreased. For the Gay-Lussac law experiment, we
can determine the relationship between pressure and temperature of an ideal gas by plotting
the graph pressure versus temperature. From the graph that we plot, the pressure is increase
directly proportional to the temperature which is following the Gay-Lussac law. For the
experiment determination of ratio of heat capacity, the ratio of heat capacity that we get is
1.09. For the last experiment which is isentropic expansion process, this experiment just to
demonstrate the isentropic expansion process.
Recommendation

Before start this experiment, we must to understand first The Perfect Gas
Expansion Apparatus Model: TH 11. For The Perfect Gas Law Apparatus, we must follow
the general operating procedure which is start-up and shut-down the pump a before we used
it. This is to make sure that the pump can work properly and experiment can carried out
smoothly.

During carried out this experiment, make sure that the hose connected tightly, so that
the air fully enter the tank. If the pressure inside the chamber more than 2 bar, the glass that
surrounding the chamber will breaking and can cause injured to the peoples around that area.
Therefore, make sure that the pressure inside the chamber not more than 2 bar during carried
out this experiment.

Before pump the air into the tank, make sure that the valve in good condition. This
means not leaking occur. Besides, the valve must fully close when the pressurized air is
flowed into the tank. This is to make sure that the result that we get is fully correct. All valves
must be opened slowly when letting the pressurized air to flow to prevent damage to ear canal
or hearing due to high pressure.

The pressure and temperature reading must be measure correctly by make sure the
eyes are always looking to the reading. If some mistakes occur during take the reading of
pressure or temperature, this will effect to the result and the experiment surely not success
Reference

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isentropic_process
2. http://www.chm.davidson.edu/vce/gaslaws/boyleslaw.html
3. http://www.molecularsoft.com/help/Gas_Laws-Gay_Lussac.htm
Appendices

Figure 1: MODEL TH11

Figure 2: COMPRESSIVE
PUMP

Figure 3: PRESSURIZED
CHAMBER

Figure 4: PRESSURIZED
CHAMBER AND
VACUUM CHAMBER