Using Charles Law to find Absolute Zero
Using Charles’ Law to Determine Absolute Zero
Background Info
It is noticed that in this lab, as the temperature of the water in the beaker is increased, the distance between the pipette and water plug increases. When this distance increases, the volume of trapped gas also increases. This relates to Charles’ Law as it shows that the volume of a gas is positively proportional to temperature.
Theoretically, absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, where all molecules have the least possible amount of kinetic energy. Absolute zero is 0°K or -273.15°C from literature values. According to Gay-Lussac, the volume of a gas reaches 0 at -266.660C (absolute zero). Temperature cannot drop any lower from a zero volume because negative volume is not attainable, therefore making zero volume to be absolute zero.
Charles’ Law can be used to find absolute zero, but only the height of the trapped gas is recorded, not the volume. However, there is no need to use volume in this lab. The formula for volume is V=r^2 πh when r is radius, and h being the height of the volume. In this case, the radius of the pipette is a constant while the height of the trapped gas is the distance between the pipette and water plug. Therefore, as height increases, volume increases, and when the volume is zero, height is zero as well.
To find absolute zero, data will be plotted and then a best line of fit will be made. The best line of fit and its equation will be used to extrapolate and calculate at what temperature the height of the trapped gas will reach zero millimeters. This point will then be declared as absolute zero.
Background Info
It is noticed that in this lab, as the temperature of the water in the beaker is increased, the distance between the pipette and water plug increases. When this distance increases, the volume of trapped gas also increases. This relates to Charles’ Law as it shows that the volume of a gas is positively proportional to temperature.
Theoretically, absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, where all molecules have the least possible amount of kinetic energy. Absolute zero is 0°K or -273.15°C from literature values. According to Gay-Lussac, the volume of a gas reaches 0 at -266.660C (absolute zero). Temperature cannot drop any lower from a zero volume because negative volume is not attainable, therefore making zero volume to be absolute zero.
Charles’ Law can be used to find absolute zero, but only the height of the trapped gas is recorded, not the volume. However, there is no need to use volume in this lab. The formula for volume is V=r^2 πh when r is radius, and h being the height of the volume. In this case, the radius of the pipette is a constant while the height of the trapped gas is the distance between the pipette and water plug. Therefore, as height increases, volume increases, and when the volume is zero, height is zero as well.
To find absolute zero, data will be plotted and then a best line of fit will be made. The best line of fit and its equation will be used to extrapolate and calculate at what temperature the height of the trapped gas will reach zero millimeters. This point will then be declared as absolute zero.