State Examination Commission – Physics Higher Level, 2015

Question 1
In an experiment to verify Boyle’s law, a student measured the volume V of a fixed mass of gas at different values of the
pressure p. The temperature of the gas was the same for each measurement.
The following data were recorded.
V (cm3) 80 120 160 200 240 280
p (kPa) 324 214 165 135 112 100
Describe, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how the student obtained the data. (12)
Draw a suitable graph to show the relationship between the pressure of the gas and its volume.
Explain how the graph verifies Boyle’s law. (15)
Use your graph to estimate the pressure of the gas at a volume of 250 cm3.
Why might the temperature of the gas have changed significantly during the experiment?
How did the student ensure that the temperature of the gas was the same for each measurement? (13)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Describe, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how the student obtained the data. (12)

Textbook

Describe, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how the student obtained the data. (12)

Textbook

Draw a suitable graph to show the relationship between the pressure of the gas and its volume.
Explain how the graph verifies Boyle’s law. (15)

V (cm3) 80 120 160 200 240 280

p (kPa) 324 214 165 135 112 100
1/V ( x 10-3 cm-3) 12.50 8.33 6.25 5.00 4.17 3.57

The straight line through the origin means the pressure of the fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to it's volume.
This is verification of Boyle's law.

C. Garvey 2015
Use your graph to estimate the pressure of the gas at a volume of 250 cm3.

When V = 250 cm3, 1/V = 0.004 cm-3 = 4.00 x 10-3 cm-3

At this value on our graph we see P = 105 Pa

Why might the temperature of the gas have changed significantly during the experiment?

The temperature of a gas increases when compressed.

How did the student ensure that the temperature of the gas was the same for each measurement? (13)

By allowing sufficient time after each pressure change for the gas to reach thermal equilibrium with the surroundings