Demonstrating The Kinds of Energy
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Willie L. Gray Adam C. Powell
7530 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
1. To investigate the general gas laws and learn how to apply them.
2. To develop a theory of molecular motion that explains the behavior of gases
both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Flask; one-hole stopper with thermometer and ruler attached; clear tape, rubber
tubing; beakers; pistons; weights of different masses and graph paper; Safety
1. Use small inner tube with weights to introduce the concept of pressure as a
force per given area.
2. Have a volunteer sit on an inner tube while someone uses the hand pump to
lift them. Permit students to orally discuss what is taking place on the
handle of the tire pump, the pump cylinder and the inner tube.
SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE USED FOR THIS ACTIVITY.
Station One: 1. Place the rubber stopper with the attached ruler and
thermometer into the flask; (option) add food coloring to the
water in beaker.
2. Place the dried flask into the water filled beaker.
3. Notice the temperature inside the flask and position of the
liquid in the tubing.
4. Take a reading from the thermometer and the ruler.
5. Convert the degrees Centigrade to degrees Kelvin.
6. Graph your result from your charts. (Temperature vs. Volume)
Station Two: 1. Suspend the piston on a stand. Use different weights to show
increased pressure and decreased volume. Permit students to
make charts and graphs.
Conclusions & Evaluation:
The conclusion of this lesson is that students will be able to discover two of
the general gas laws from their observations, their chart and their straight
line and curved graphs. (Boyle's and Charles'). Orally related questions may
also be used to further challenge the students' understanding of the behavior of