ABSTRACT/SUMMARY

The aim of this experiment is to determine the properties of

measurement/PVT. The equipment that had been used is called Perfect Gas
Expansion and by using this kind of equipment, all 7 experiments were conducted
successfully. For the first experiment, we conducted to show the Boyles Law. In this
experiment, the experiment is done for three times from pressurized chamber to
vacuum chamber, from atmospheric chamber to pressurized chamber and
pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber. Next, the second experiment is to
determine the Gay-Lussac Law and it also done repeatedly for three times to get the
average value of the temperature at pressurize and depressurize vessels. After
getting the average value, the graph of pressure versus temperature is plotted. The
third experiment is to demonstrate the isentropic expansion process. In this
experiment, the pressure and the temperature of pressurized chamber is taken
before and after the expansion occur. The forth, fifth and sixth experiment are
stepwise depressurization, bried depressurization and determine of ratio volume,
The last experiment we need to determine the ratio of heat capacity. Only the
pressurized chamber and compressive pump are used during this experiment.
Based on all the experiments that was conducted, all the data which are about the
reading before and after the setting are recorded into the data as below. The
experiment was successful.
INTRODUCTION
The Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus is a self-sufficient bench top unit
designed to enable students to familiarize with some fundamental thermodynamic
processes. Comprehensive understanding of First Law of Thermodynamics, Second
Law of Thermodynamics and the P-V-T relationship is fundamentally important in the
applications of thermodynamics in the industry. The apparatus comes with one
pressure vessel and one vacuum vessel and both are made of glass tubes. The
vessels are linked to one another with a set of piping and valves. A large diameter
pipe provides gradual or instant change.
Air pump is included to enable us to pressurize or evacuate air inside
the large vessels provided the valves configures appropriately during the
experiment. The pressure and temperature sensors are used to monitor and
manipulate the pressure and temperature inside the vessels and the digital
indicator will display the pressure and temperature on the control panel. This
experiment dealt a lot with the properties of an ideal gas and its relationship with
the various environmental factors. An ideal gas is said to be a gas which obeys the
P-V-T relationship. A PVT relationship is one of the forms of the equations of state,

which relates the pressure, molar volume V and the temperature T of physically
homogeneous media in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Other than that, ideal gas is also a gas that exhibits simple linear
relationships among volume, pressure, temperature and amount . Gas particles in a
box collide with its walls and transfer momentum to them during each collision. The
gas pressure is equal to the momentum delivered to a unit area of a wall, during a
unit time. However, ideal gas particles do not collide with each other but only with
the walls. A single particle moves arbitrarily along some direction until it strikes a
wall. It then bounces back, changes direction and speed and moves towards
another wall. The gas expansion equations are derived directly from the law of
conservation of linear momentum and the law of conservation of energy .

OBJECTIVES
Experiment 1: Boyles Law Experiment

To determine the relationship between pressure and volume of an ideal

To compare the experimental results with theoretical results.

gas.

Experiment 2: Gay-Lussac Law Experiment

ideal gas.

To determine the relationship between pressure and temperature of an

Experiment 3: Isentropic Expansion process

To demonstrate the isentropic expansion process.

Experiment 4: Stepwise Depressurization

To study the response of the pressurized vessel following stepwise

depressurization.
Experiment 5: Brief Depressurization

To study the response of the pressurized vessel following a brief

depressurization.
Experiment 6: Determination of ratio of volume

To determine the ratio of volume and compares it to the theoretical

value.
Experiment 7: Determination of ratio of heat capacity

To determine the ratio of heat capacity.

THEORY
Boyles Law Experiment
Boyle's Law states that the product of the pressure and volume for a gas is a
constant for a fixed amount of gas at a fixed temperature. Written in mathematical
terms, this law is
P x V = constant
A common use for this law is to predict on how a change in pressure will alter
the volume of gas or vice versa. Therefore, for initial values of p 1 and V1, which
change to final values of p2 and V2, the following equation applies
P1 x V1 = P2 x V2 (for fixed amount of gas at constant
temperature)
The graph shows how the pressure and volume vary according to Boyles Law
at two difference temperatures. Then it can be conclude that, the pressure and
volume gas is indirectly related which is if the pressure of the chamber is increase
then the volume of the gas inside the chamber also decrease.
Besides, it also involves the kinetic energy. If we decrease the volume of a
gas, thus means that the same number of gas particles are now going to come in
contact with each other and with the sides of the container much more often. The
pressure is also measure the frequency of collision of gas particle with each other
and with the side of the container they are in. Thus if the volume decrease, the
pressure will naturally increase. The opposite is true if the volume of the gas is
increased, the gas particles collide less frequently and the pressure will decrease.

At lower temperatures the volume and pressure values are lower. Any volume
or pressure units can be used as long as both P's and both V's have the same units.
The particle theory and simple arithmetical values is used to explain Boyles Law.

When the volume of gas is compress into half, the collision of the gas will
increase and thus the pressure will increase double compare to the origin
value.

But if the volume of the gas is doubled or increase in the factor of two, the
collision drop and decrease thus the pressure will decrease into half compare
to the origin.

Gay-Lussac Law theory

Compare to the Boyles Law, the expression of Gay-Lussacs Law is used for
each of the two relationship named after the French chemist Joseph Louis GayLussac (1778-1850) and which concern the properties of gases, though it is more
usually applied to his law of combining volumes.
One law relates to volumes before and after chemical reaction while the other
concerns the pressure and temperature relationship for a sample of gas.
According to Gay-Lussacs law, for a given amount of gas held at constant
volume, the pressure is proportional to the absolute temperature. Mathematically,

Where, kG is the appropriate proportionality constant.

Besides, Gay-Lussac law also tells us that it may be dangerous to heat a gas
in a closed container. The increased pressure might cause the container to explode.
Therefore, for initial values of p1 and T1, which change to final values of
p2 and T2, the following equation applies

In all calculations, the absolute or Kelvin scale of temperature must be used

for T (K = oC + 273).

The graph shows how the pressure and temperature vary according to GayLussac Law. Based on Gay-Lussac it stated that the pressure exerted on a
containers sides by an ideal is proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas.
This follows from the kinetic theory which stated that by increasing the temperature
of the gas, the molecules speed increase meaning an increased amount of
collisions with the container walls.

Isentropic Expansion Process

Isentropic basically means no change in entropy. According to grc.nasa.gov,
entropy has a variety of physical interpretations, including the statistical disorder of
the system, but often perceived to be just another property of the system, like
enthalpy or temperature. The Second Law of thermodynamics can be expressed in
terms of the entropy, S, as another state of function:
The entropy of an isolated system increases in the course of a
spontaneous change:
Stot > 0
Where Stot is the total energy of the system and its surroundings.
Thermodynamically irreversible processes (like cooling to the temperature of
surroundings and the free expansion of gases) are spontaneous processes, and
hence must be accompanied by an increase in total entropy (Atkins, 2002: 92).
However, for a reversible and an adiabatic process, the value of entropy, S,
remains the same from the initial to the state of completion.
S=0
S1 = S2

Stepwise Depressurization Experiment

The stepwise depressurization is conducted by depressurizing the pressurized
chamber or tank gradually by releasing the gas expansion at every instance the
valves are opened and closed to see the gradual changes in pressure within the
container. Pressure decreases with the expansion.

Brief Depressurization Experiment

Similar procedures as previous lab practical, but the time interval of valves
opening increased to a few seconds. This is so that the effects or response of brief
depressurization of the gas could be observed. With the increased time interval, the
gas should expand faster.

Determination of Ratio of Volume Experiment

The ratio of volume of gas expansion between the chambers and the
atmosphere should be the same (or at least almost) with the theoretical value. The
following equations can be used to evaluate and calculate the values:
P 1 V1 = P 2 V2
V2/ V1 = P1/ P2
V2/ V1 = Ratio value

Determination of ratio of heat capacity theory

For a perfect gas,
Cp = Cv + R
pressure, and

Where, Cp = molar heat capacity at constant

Cv = molar heat capacity at constant volume.

For a real gas a relationship may be defined between the heat capacity,
which is dependent on the equation of state, although it is more complex than that
for a perfect gas. The heat capacity ratio may then be determined experimentally
using a two step process.
1. An adiabatic reversible expansion from the initial pressure P s to an
intermediate pressure Pi
{Ps, Vs, Ts} {Pi, Vi, Ti}
2. A return of the temperature to its original value T s at constant volume Vi
{Pi, Vi, Ti} {Pf, Vi, Ts}
For a reversible adiabatic expression
dq = 0

From the First Law of Thermodynamics,

dU = dq + dW
Therefore during the expansion process
dU = dW

or

dU = -pdV

At constant volume the heat capacity relates the change in temperature to

the change in internal energy
dU = CvdT
Substituting in to equation x,
CvdT = -pdV
Substituting in the ideal gas law and then integrating gives

Ti
V
R ln i
Ts
Vs

Cv ln

Now, for an ideal gas

Ti
PV
i i
Ts PsVs
Therefore,

P
V
Cv ln i ln i
Ps
Vs

R ln

Vi
Vs

Rearranging and substituting in from equation x,

ln

C p Vi
Pi

ln
Ps
C v Vs

During the return of the temperature to the starting value,

Vi P s

Vs Pf
Thus,

ln

Ps C p Ps

ln
Pi Cv Pf

Rearranging gives the relationship in its required form:

Cp
Cv

ln Ps ln Pi
ln Ps ln Pf

APPARATUS
There was only one equipment used for all the experiments, and that is the
Solteq Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH11).

1
3
2

5
6

Figure 3: Solteq Perfect Gas Expansion Apparatus (Model: TH11).

Including:
1. Pressure Transmitter
2. Pressure Relief Valve
3. Temperature Sensor
4. Atmospheric Chamber
5. Vacuum Glass
6. Vacuum Pump

METHOD/ PROCEDURES
General Operation:
Start-up:
1. The equipment was connected to single phase power supply and then the
switch was turned on.

2. All the valves were fully opened and the pressure reading was checked on the
panel. This is to make sure that the chambers were all under atmospheric
pressure.
3. The valves were all closed again afterwards.
4. The pipe from compressive port of the pump was connected to pressurized
chamber.
5. The unit was ready for use.

General Operation:
Shut-down:
1. The pump was switch off and both pipes were removed from the chambers
2. The valves were fully open to release the air inside the chambers
3. The power supply and main power were switch off

Experiment 1:
1. The general start up method as previously mentioned was performed
and the valves were once again made sure to be fully closed.
2. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the
chamber was allowed to increase up to about 150kPa. Then, the pump
was switched off and the hose was removed from the chamber.

3. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it

stabilized.
4. The pressure reading for both chambers before expansion was
recorded.
5. The V 02 was fully opened and the pressurized air flows were allowed
into the atmospheric chamber.
6. The pressure reading for both chambers after expansion was recorded.
7. The experimental methodology was repeated for the following
conditions:
From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber;
From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber.
8. The PV value was calculated and Boyles Law was proven in further sections

Experiment 2:
1. The general start up method was performed again.
2. The hose was connected from the compressive pump to pressurized
chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the temperature for every
increment of 10kPa in the chamber was recorded. The pump was
stopped when the pressure PT 1 reaches about 160kPa.
4. Then, the valve V 01 was slightly opened and the pressurized air was
allowed to flow out. The temperature reading for every decrement of
10kPa was recorded.
5. The experiment was stopped when the pressure reached atmospheric
pressure.
6. The experiment was repeated for three times to get the averag
7. 7.A graph was plotted to represent the pressure versus temperature

Experiment 3:
1. The general start up procedures was performed.

2. The hose was connected from compressive pump to pressurized

chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the
chamber was allowed to increase until about 160kPa. Then, the pump
was switched off and the hose was removed from the chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it
stabilized. The pressure reading PT 1 and temperature TT 1 were
recorded.
5. Valve V 01 was slightly opened and air was allowed to flow out slowly
until it reached atmospheric pressure.
6. The pressure reading and the temperature reading after the expansion
process were recorded.
7. The isentropic expansion process was discussed in further section

Experiment 4:
1. The general start up procedure was performed.
2. The hose from the compressive pump was connected to the
pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the
chamber was allowed to increase until about 160kPa. The pump was
then switched off and the hose was removed from its chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it
stabilized. The pressure reading PT 1 was recorded.
5. The valve V 01 was fully opened and brought back to closed position
instantly. The pressure reading PT 1 was monitored and recorded until
it became stable.
6. Step 5 was repeated at least four times
7. The pressure reading was display on the graph and was discussed
about it.

Experiment 5:
1. General start up procedure was performed.
2. The hose was connected from the compressive pump to the
pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and allowed to increase the
pressure inside the chamber until about 160kPa. Then it was switched
off and the hose was removed.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it
stabilized. The pressure reading was recorded as PT 1.
5. The valve V 01 was fully opened and brought back to closed position
after a few seconds. The pressure reading after expansion was
monitored and recorded as PT 1 until it became stable.
6. The result was displayed on graph and further discussed.

Experiment 6:
1. General start up procedure was performed and valves were made sure
to be closed.
2. Compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the
chamber was allowed to increase up to about 150kPa. Then, the pump
was switched off and the hose was removed from the chamber.
3. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until it
stabilized.
4. The pressure reading for both chambers was recorded before
expansion.
5. Valve V 02 was opened and the pressurized air was allowed to flow into
the atmospheric chamber slowly.
6. The pressure reading for both chambers after expansion was recorded.
7. The experimental procedures were repeated for the following
conditions:
From atmospheric chamber to vacuum chamber.
From pressurized chamber to vacuum chamber.

8. The ratio of volume was calculated and compared with the theoretical value

Experiment 7:
1. The general start up method was performed.
2. The compressive pump was connected to pressurized chamber.
3. The compressive pump was switched on and the pressure inside the
chamber was allowed to increase until about 160kPa. Then, the pump
was switched off and the hose was removed from the chamber.
4. The pressure reading inside the chamber was monitored until is
stabilized. The pressure reading PT1 and temperature TT1were
recorded.
5. The valve V 01 was fully opened and brought back to closed until after
a few seconds. The reading PT1 and temperature TT1 were monitored
and recorded until they became stable.
6. The ratio of the heat capacity was determined and then compared with
the theoretical value