A Level Physics Notes: Experimental Physics – Verification of Boyle's Law
Apparatus:
Boyle's law apparatus with hand pump, thermometer.
Diagram:
Procedure:
1. Note the temperature of the laboratory.
2. Open the pressure valve so that the oil and trapped air are at atmospheric pressure (about 100kPa).
3. Note the initial pressure
(about
100kPa) and volume
of
the trapped air.
4. Attach the hand pump to the apparatus.
Note it actually is a foot pump but please operate it only by hand.
5. Pressurise the oil and trapped air to between 200 and 300kPa. You will need to close the valve quickly to maintain this pressure.
6. Note the maximum pressure,and
corresponding minimum volumereached.
7. Take about 6 further pressure,and
volumereadings
by slowly releasing the pressure of the oil down to atmospheric
pressure again. You should be prepared to estimate both pressures and
volumes on both scales.
8. Tabulate your readings and also for each set of readings
calculate; (
)
and (
).
9. Retake the laboratory temperature.
10. Plot a graph ofagainst
11. Measure the gradient,
of
your graph.
12. Comment on how well the trapped air has obeyed Boyle's law.
You should make reference to your graph.
13. What is the gradient,equal
to?