LEP

3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet
Tasks
For a constant amount of gas (in our case air) investigate the correlation between
1. Volume and pressure at constant temperature (Boyle-Marriottes law)
2. Temperature and volume at constant pressure (Gay-Lussacs law)
3. Temperature and pressure at constant volume (Charles (Amontons) law)

From the correlations obtained calculate the universal gas constant as well as the coefficient of thermal
expansion, the coefficient of thermal tension, and the coefficient of compressibility.
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours

Equipment
Gas laws apparatus
Immersion thermostat TC10
Accessory set for TC10
Bath for thermostat, Makrolon
Electronic weather station
Lab thermometer, -10+110 C
Mercury tray
Pinchcock, width 15 mm

04362.00
08492.93
08492.01
08487.02
87997.10
38056.00
02085.00
43631.15

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Support base PASSSupport rod, stainl. Steel, l = 1000 mm

Right angle clamp
Universal clamp
Hose clip, d = 8-12 mm
Rubber tubing, i.d. 6 mm
Mercury, filtered, 1000 g
Water, distilled, 5 l

02005.55
02034.00
37697.00
37715.00
40996.01
39282.00
31776.70
31246.81

1
1
2
2
6
3
1
1

Setup
During the installation of the experiment, the mercury is filled into the gas laws apparatus . This has to be
done only once! Fill the mercury reservoir of the demonstration device (right tube) carefully up to about
one quarter of the graduated measuring range. It is very important to read the operating instructions for
correct performance. The levels of the mercury in the mercury reservoir and in the leveling container
must be the same.
Set up the experiment according to the following instructions and pictures:
-

Fill the bath for thermostat with distilled or demineralised water

Put the thermostat into the bath for thermostat and fix it at the backside with the screw (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1

Connect one end of a rubber tubing to the upper part of the left tube (measuring tube) and the other
end of the tubing to the left jacket pipe of the thermostat (Fig. 2 and 3). Use the hose clips for increasing the security of the connections.

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Now connect one end of another rubber tubing to the lower part of the measuring tube and the other
end of it to the right jacket pipe of the thermostat (Fig. 4 and 5). Again make sure, that these connections are secure

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Connect the cooling coil of the thermostat to the water supply by using two rubber tubings (Fig. 6)

Fig. 6

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LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet
-

Now your setup should look like the following picture:

Fig. 7

Before beginning the measurements, remove the little rubber stopper from the mercury reservoir
(right tube) (Fig. 8)

Fig. 8

Procedure
Task 1:
During this experiment, the temperature must be kept constant at 298.15 K (25 C). This is achieved by
pumping water, which has the desired temperature, through the rubber tubing with the aid of the thermostat.
-

Switch on the thermostat and set the temperature to 298.15 K (25 C)

Wait until the temperature in the measuring tube remains constant (look at the thermometer above
the measuring tube)

In order to investigate the correlation between the pressure p and the volume V, the pressure in the
measuring tube is varied by raising or sinking the mercury reservoir. The length l of the column of air in
the measuring tube and the height difference h between the mercury level in the mercury reservoir and
the mercury level in the measuring tube can be read off the scale of the device.

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01
-

Get the air pressure pa from the Electronic weather station and note the value above Table 1 (page
6)
Move the mercury reservoir (Fig. 9) until the levels of the mercury in the mercury reservoir and in the
measuring tube are at the same height ( h = 0 )
Read off the scale the length l of the column of air in the measuring tube (this is the distance between the mercury level and the brown marked measuring tube segment at the top)

Fig. 9

Perform at least 10 measurements by raising the mercury reservoir and reading off the scale the
length l of the column of air and the height difference h between the levels of the mercury in the
mercury reservoir and in the measuring tube
Note your results in Table 1 (page 6)

Task 2 and 3:
In order to determine the temperature dependency on pressure and volume, the two correlations are
investigated at the same time for each temperature step
The initial temperature is the same as in Task 1 ( T = 298.15 K)
Move the mercury reservoir so, that the mercury levels in the mercury reservoir and in the measuring tube are at the same height
Mark this position with a marker on the measuring tube or use a piece of adhesive tape to mark the
position on the scale (Fig. 10 and 11). This marking represents a constant volume of air ( V = V1 ) in
the measuring tube.

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Measure the length l of the column of air in the measuring tube and note this value as well as the
value for the height difference h (in this initial case h = 0 ) in Table 2 (page 7)
Now, increase the temperature to 303.15 K (30 C) and wait until the temperature in the measuring
tube remains constant

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LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet
-

Task 2:
To investigate the dependency of the temperature T on the volume V at constant pressure p = p a ,
move the mercury reservoir until the two mercury levels are equal

Fig. 12

Read off the scale the new length l of the column of air in the measuring tube and note the value in
Table 2

Task 3:
In order to investigate the dependency of the temperature T on the pressure p at constant volume V,
move the mercury reservoir until the mercury level in the measuring tube reaches the marking again
(Fig. 13)

Fig. 13

Measure the height difference h between the two mercury levels and note the value in Table 2
Subsequently, increase the temperature in steps of 5 K up to 358.15 K (85 C) and proceed in each
step the way described above
When you have finished your measurements, put the little rubber stopper back onto the mercury
reservoir

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01
Results
Task 1:

External air pressure pa =

Note your measuring results in the following table (first and second column).
Table 1
Determined length
l [mm]

Height difference
h [mm]

Volume
V [ml]

Pressure
p [kPa]

Now, calculate from your measuring results the Volume V and the pressure p. To do this, use the following equations:
For the volume is valid:

d
V = V1 + VR = l + V2
2
2

11.4 mm
=
l + 1.01 ml
2

(1)

and for the pressure:

p = p a + p

= p a + h 0.1333 kPa mm -1

(2)

Use equation (1) to calculate the Volume V. 1.01 ml is approx. the volume of the brown marked
measuring tube segment, which has to be added to the volume. Take into account that you have to
convert the units since you have ml and mm3 in the same equation.
6

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LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

The correlation between them is: 1 ml = 1000 mm 3 . Record your results in Table 1 (column 3).
Use equation (2) For the calculation of the pressure p in dependence of the height difference h.
Note your results for the in Table 1, too (column 4).
In our sample measurement we got the following results (Important: these are only sample results
and your results may differ from them):
Sample results

Determined length
l [mm]
183
180
175
170
160
150
140
134
130
124
120

Height difference
h [mm]
0
16
33
56
102
158
213
251
282
328
366

Volume
V [ml]
19.96
19.38
18.87
18.36
17.34
16.32
15.30
14.69
14.28
13.67
13.26

Pressure
p [kPa]
100.00
102.12
104.40
107.46
113.60
121.06
128.39
133.46
137.59
143.72
148.79

Task 2 and 3:
Note your measuring results in the table below (columns 1 3).
Table 2
Temperature
T [K]

Determined length
l [mm]

Height difference
h [mm]

Volume
V [ml]

Pressure
p [kPa]

Again, calculate the Volume V and the pressure p using the equations (1) and (2) and note your results in Table 2 (column 4 and 5).
In our sample measurement we got the following results:
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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01

Sample results

Temperature
T [K]
298.15
303.15
308.15
313.15
318.15
323.15
328.15
333.15
338.15
343.15
348.15
353.15
358.15

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Determined length
l [mm]
183
185
188
193
196
199
202
205
208
211
215
219
222

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Height difference
h [mm]
0
16
30
40
53
65
76
88
102
114
126
138
152

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Volume
V [ml]
19.69
19.89
20.20
20.71
21.02
21.32
21.63
21.93
22.24
22.55
22.96
23.36
23.67

Pressure
p [kPa]
100.00
102.13
104.00
105.33
107.06
108.66
110.13
111.73
113.60
115.20
116.80
118.40
120.26

Laboratory Experiments

LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

Evaluation
1. Correlation between volume and pressure at constant temperature (Boyle-Mariottes law)
In order to explain the correlation between the volume V and the pressure p of a gas one must have
a closer look at the results of Task 1.
In this part of the experiment the temperature T was constant at 298.15 K whereas the pressure p
and the volume V of the gas varied. This process is called isothermal expansion and compression.
For the change in volume is valid:

dV = V0 0 dp

(3)

where

0 =

1
V0

p T ,n

the coefficient of cubic compressibility. The indices T and n show that the temperature and the substance quantity (n) of the gas are constant. From integration of equation (3) with 0 = const. one gets

V0 p 0 = Vp

V = const.

(4)

1
,
p

where V0 and p0 the volume and the pressure of the gas at T0 = 273.15 K . Therefore V0 and p0 are
constant and so the product of both is constant, too.
Boyle and Mariotte first investigated this correlation and so it is called Boyle-Mariottes law.
To compare the theory with your measurements, convert your results for p into 1/p and note these
values in the table below.
Reciprocal of the pressure
1/p [kPa]

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01

We got the following results for our measuring values:

Sample results

Reciprocal of the pressure

1/p [kPa]
0.01000
0.00979
0.00958
0.00931
0.00880
0.00826
0.00779
0.00749
0.00727
0.00696
0.00672
Now, design a graph where you draw the reciprocal pressure 1/p against the volume V (see
Table 1). It is recommended to use the software PHYWE measure to do this. It is free for download
on www.phywe.com (see appendix). You should get a graph similar to the following:

Fig. 14: Volume V as a function of the reciprocal pressure 1/p at constant temperature
( T = 298.15 K ) and at constant substance quantity n.
-

2.

Note the value for the slope of the curve in the table on page 13

Correlation between temperature and volume at constant pressure (Gay-Lussacs law)

To investigate the correlation between the temperature T and the volume V at constant pressure
( p = p a ) use your measuring results from Task 2.
The process, in which the pressure p is constant and the temperature T as well as the volume V is
variable, is called isobaric process.

10

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LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet
For the change in volume is valid:

dV = V0 0 dT

(5)

where

0 =

1
V0

T p ,n

the coefficient of thermal expansion.

After integration of (5) with 0 = const. one gets

V0 V
=
T0 T
V = const. T

(6)

Gay-Lussac first investigated this correlation and that is the reason why it is called Gay-Lussacs law.
Now, have a look at Table 2. Design a graph where you draw the values for the temperature T
against the values for the volume V.
If you measured accurately, you should be able to recognise the proportionality between V and T and
your graph should look like the following. Again note the slope (page 13).

Fig. 15: Dependence of the volume V on the temperature T at constant pressure ( p = p a = 105 kPa )
and at constant substance quantity n.

3.

Correlation between temperature and pressure at constant volume (Charles (Amontons) law)

In order to determine the correlation between the temperature T and the pressure p you have to use Table 2 again.

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01

The process, in which the temperature and the pressure are variable while the volume of the gas is
constant, is called isochoric process.
For the change in pressure is therefore valid:

dp = p 0 0 dT

(7)

where

0 =

1 p

p 0 T V ,n

the coefficient of thermal tension.

After integration of (7) with 0 = const. one gets:

p0 p
=
T0 T
p = const. T

(8)

This correlation is called Charles (Amontons) law.

Now, use your measuring results for the temperature T and the pressure p from Table 2 and design a
graph where you draw p against T.
If you measured accurately, you should be able to recognise the proportionality between p and T and
thus your graph should look like the following. Note the slope (page 13).

Fig. 16: Correlation between the pressure p and the temperature T at constant volume V
and constant substance quantity n.

12

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LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

In the next step, determine the universal gas constant R. This is done with the help of the following
considerations:
By combining the equation (6) or (8) with equation (4) one obtains

p 0V0 p1V1 pV
=
=
T0
T1
T

(9)

and from that the general (or thermal) equation of state for ideal gases:

pV = nRT

(10)

You can calculate the universal gas constant R with your measurement results and the following
equations:

V
1 = nRT
p T ,n

(10.1)

nR
V

= V0 0 =
p
T p ,n

(10.2)

nR
p
= p0 0 =
V
T V ,n

(10.3)

The three terms in these equations that are on the left of the equality sign are equal to the slopes of
the corresponding graphs. That means, (V/p-1)T,n corresponds to the slope of the graph showing the
correlation between volume and pressure (Task 1), (V/T)p,n corresponds to the slope of the graph
showing the correlation between volume and temperature (Task 2) and (p/T)V,n corresponds to the
slope of the graph showing the correlation between pressure and temperature (Task 3).
Look at the units of your measured slopes and convert the unit ml into m3. The correlation between
them is:

1 ml = 1000 mm 3 = 1 cm 3 =

1
m3 ,
3
100

since 1 m 3 = 100 3 cm 3 . This has to be done for the slopes of Task 1 and 2.
The unit of the slope of Task 2 should be Pa m 3 = Nm . To do this, remember, that the following is
valid:

1
= 10 3 kPa .
10 kPa
3

Measured slopes
-1

After converting

(V/p )T,n

(V/T)p,n

(p/T)V,n

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01

In our measurement we got the following results:

Measured slopes
(V/p-1)T,n
(V/T)p,n
(p/T)V,n

=
=
=

-3

1.989 ml/10 kPa

0.067 ml/K
0.330 kPa/K

After converting

= 1.989 Pa m 3 = 1.989 Nm
=
6.686 10 8 m 3 K -1
=
0.330 kPa K -1

The universal gas constant is calculated by using the equations (10.1), (10.2), (10.3). But first, you
have to determine the value for n by the equation:

n=

V
Vm

(11)

where Vm the molar volume of the gas (air). Under standard conditions ( T0 = 273.15 K ,

p 0 = 101.325 kPa ) it is Vm = 0.022414 m 3 mol -1 . In order to calculate n you have to reduce your
measured volume V to these standard conditions. This is done by using equation (9). Insert one
measured result each for V, p, T (have a look at Table 2) and the values for p0 and T0 (see above) to
calculate V0. Then insert this value in equation (11) to calculate n and note it below.

n=
Now, you have all values to calculate the universal gas constant R according to the equations (10.1),
(10.2) and (10.3). Note your results in the following table:

R=
R=
R=
and calculate the mean value:

R=
In our sample measurement we got the following results:

n = 0.0007943 mol

R = 8.399 Nm K -1 mol -1
R = 8.418 Nm K -1 mol -1
R = 8.181 Nm K -1 mol -1
Mean value:

R = 8.333 Nm K -1 mol -1
The literature value is R = 8.31441 Nm K -1 mol -1 = 8.31441 J K -1 mol -1 .

14

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LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

Additionally, determine the coefficients 0 and 0 with the aid of the equations (10.2) and (10.3) and
your values of the slopes and note your results below.

0 =
0 =
Use these values to calculate the coefficient of cubic compressibility 0 with the following equation:

0 =

1 0
1

=
0
p 0 0 101.325 kPa 0

and record the value:

0 =
In our sample measurement we got the following results:

0 =
0 =
0 =

3.756 10 3 K -1
3.257 10 3 K -1
8.558 10 3 kPa -1

The theoretical values for an ideal gas under standard conditions at T0 and p0 are:

0 = 0 = 3.661 10 3 K -1 = 1 273.15 K -1
and

0 = 9.872 kPa -1 = 1 101.325 kPa -1 .

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Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

LEP
3.2.01-01

Appendix
Using measure for creating the graphs and evaluation of the data
Once installed, start measure.
Click Measurement and choose Enter data manually
There select the parameters that are shown in the screenshot below

Click Continue
Type in your values for V and 1/p (make sure to use commas instead of points for decimal numbers)
Click OK
Choose the first point Sort x-data

Right-click on your graph and select Display options (Symbol:

)
Under channels select interpolation and none for displaying the points only. In this menu
you can also change the displayed area for the best display

For fitting the graph click Analysis and then Function fitting, choose straight and click Calculate
After clicking Add new curve the fitting curve will appear

16

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Laboratory Experiments

LEP
3.2.01-01

Equation of state of ideal gases

Students worksheet

Click the button Show slope ( ) and note this value for the slope
This is how you can use measure for displaying the graphs for Tasks 2 and 3, too. For further
information about the program please go to the Help-menu.

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17