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BOYLE'S LAW
Purpose:
In this experiment, you will investigate the effect of pressure on the volume of a confined gas, and then
see the mathematical relationship through a graph of your data.
Equipment
Ring stand, clamp, plastic syringe (sealed) or with cap, iron ring, 5 text books with stray papers removed
Procedure: pre-lab
1. Examine the syringe. Notice the volume units.
2. Pull out the piston as far as possible, but make sure you can still make a measurement. Place the tip of
the syringe into the rubber stopper. Do not damage the equipment.
3. Record your observations.
Loose Iron Ring
Syringe
Clamp
Rubber Stopper
Experiment
1. Assemble the apparatus with cap on as demonstrated. Support the syringe loosely with a clamp to
prevent tip-over.
2. Record the initial position (volume) of the syringe full of air with the piston drawn out.
3. Place one chemistry book on the top of the syringe; use a loose iron ring to keep book from falling off.
Record the volume.
4. Repeat part 3 adding one book and recording the resulting volume.
5. Repeat until all five books are on the syringe.
6. Remove the books. Repeat steps #2, 3, 4, 5. TWO MORE TIMES
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DATA and CALCULATIONS:
Pressure
(Number of
Books)
1
Volume
Trial 1
Volume
Trial 2
Volume
Trial 3
Average
Volume
1/Volume
Total Pressure
1
𝑃𝑇 = ( + # 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠)
𝑉
𝑃𝑇 × 𝑉
2
3
4
5
Analysis
1. Make a line graph showing pressure measured in units of "Number of Books" on the x-axis
vs. Volume on the y-axis.
2. Make another line graph showing pressure on the x-axis vs. 1/Volume on the y-axis. The
values of 1/Volume should be graphed in decimal form. (Divide 1 by the volume of the
syringe)
Questions
1. Identify the shape of graph #1. Explain the relationship between volume and pressure.
2. Identify the shape of graph #2. Explain the relationship between 1/volume and pressure.
3. According to your graph, estimate the pressure (in books) of the syringe if the volume is 2 cm3
4. In your opinion, would the results be different if CO2 were used? Why?
5. Explain how the air pressure was determined in book units.
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