A Charles’ Law Experiment
Information & General Instructions
1. We cannot measure the changes in volume directly, so we will use a line drawn on the
balloon to see what happens to the length of the line as the air in the test tube changes
temperature.
2. You need to draw a picture (on your own paper) showing the
molecules inside the test tube at room temperature and after the test
tube is cooled.
3. Write the following question on your paper.
“How does a change in temperature affect the volume of a quantity of gas?”
4. Write your hypothesis in the Hypothesis section.
Note: You may not revise your hypothesis once you have written it on your
paper.
5. Work together with your partner to plan the steps for your investigation. Read the note
below then print the steps for your procedure in the sequence boxes.
Note: Here are some things you must incorporate into your procedure:
Note: Shorten these up! Don’t try to copy the whole sentence to the box.
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Inflate the balloon a couple of times before drawing the line.
Draw a 2 cm line on the balloon.
Draw little perpendicular lines on each end of the 2 cm line.
The test tube must be cooled in ice water for at least a minute before the balloon
is attached to the test tube.
The test tube must be submerged in the ice-water up to the top of the test tube or
as close as you can get it.
The test tube must be held down by one person to keep it from popping up when
the water is poured in with the ice.
The test tube must be submerged in each bath for at least 1 minute.
6. You are expected to revise your procedure (if necessary) during the experiment so that
your written procedure matches what you are actually doing.
7. Remember to repeat your procedure twice (do the experiment twice).
8. Record your observations and data on your own paper. Label everything!
9. REMEMBER... you must repeat your procedure to collect a second set of data to confirm
your observations.
10. Get a lab sheet from your teacher and copy the question, your hypothesis, and the
final version of your procedure to the appropriate sections of the lab sheet.
11. In the Data section of the lab sheet, construct a table to display your data.
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2 cm line
Charles’ Law Lab
Hypothesis Page
The Question
Our Procedure
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(Numbered steps, please!)
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Please continue on the other side.
Our Data
(Make a table, please!)
Cold
Hot
Our Conclusions (Based on your data, answer the question and explain how your
data supports your conclusions.)
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3/6/2016
Charles’ Law Lab
Experiment
The Question
Our Procedure
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(Numbered steps, please!)
3/6/2016
Please continue on the other side.
Our Data
(Make a table, please!)
Cold
Hot
Our Conclusions (Based on your data, answer the question and explain how your
data supports your conclusions.)
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3/6/2016